TriGirl

The intestines are incredible absorption machines. Think of how quickly you can get dehydrated when you have diarrhea. Just that amount of fluid NOT going into your bloodstream will severely dehydrate you. (Conversely, if you are constipated, you should consume a lot more fluids -- your body is trying to get all the fluid it can from the matter still transiting your intestines). The other "benefit" from ingesting alcohol in this manner is that it bypasses the stomach, thereby saving the stomach lining. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Is there a shotgun involved? See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

I hope all of you readers here are fully aware of the fact that the abovementioned habits of "schnitzel-eating", "polka-dancing" and "dirndl/lederhosen" are as "typically German" as lasso-throwing, 10-gallon-hats etc are "typically American" But it's just a nice occasion to have fun despite the location of the respective Oktoberfest Now, don't read into it! I was just describing the EVENT (I went last year). I didn't say anything about it being "typically German." Seems to me you're just bitter 'cause you don't have the knees for lederhosen. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

You're teasing us, aren't you? Guys have short attention spans. Just trying to help! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Technically speaking? Why? It's still four days away. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Damn, there's always some A$$-hats wanting to screw up a good time. It's a party, not a descent into anarchy. And the event at the embassy is some good, clean, beer-drinking, schnitzel-eating, polka-dancing fun!

Well, technically, your tax money (and mine for that matter -- crazy how that works) paid for everything I have! But no, I paid for it. And the Germans paid for my ticket to the party out of THEIR taxpayers' money! Yep! Oct 13 Believe it or not, me too! Yeah, they are.

I don't believe you. I call bullshit unless you can post photos to prove me wrong I was wondering how long it would take a post like that to hit! The problem with your reply is that I don't give a shit what you do or don't believe. However, pics will likely be available after the event. Believe what you like, but enjoy the evidence once it's available.

One really awesome thing about this diplomat lifestyle is we get invited to all the cool parties. Next weekend is the Oktoberfest party (two days of them, anyway) at the German embassy here. SO looking forward to it! Last year we raged. This year should be the same, but at least this year I'll be dressed for it. Just bought my new dirndl. This is one traditional dress that actually works for my... um.... body type! (yes, that means my rack fills it out nicely ) See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

"We celebrate birthdays, where all you have to do is not die for 365 days." Freakin' classic. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Ever thought of doing it through the military? You mentioned graduate school, so I will presume you have a 4-yr degree already. Talk to recruiters, but be sure they understand you will ONLY consider officer programs with flight option guaranteed (pilot and lawyer are the only career fields that are guaranteed by the Marine Corps). If you don't qualify for the program, you don't have to take the contract and can walk away. If you choose to go that route, you will have flight school funded, AND get paid (with health care, living expenses, etc) on top of it. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Oh, damn. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Damn, that was fast! We've talked about this before, but I'll say it again: sorry you're having to deal with this. (see "Hump Day" thread for other appropriate response -- Jo beat me to it in this one!) See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

How YOU doin'? See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

[sigh] 'Ski, she meant.... ...oh, never mind. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

That isn't an accurate statement (not the scammers part, the don't take a check part). Checks aren't automatically bad. You just have to understand how they can be used fraudulently and take precautions against it. That's what I thought when I read his statement as well. I paid for my canopy by check, from a classified ad right here on DZ.com. We didn't use a rigger escrow, either. I sent him a check, he waited until it cleared, and then he sent the canopy. I did purchase from a dealer, though. He was selling off his previous year demo models. So, I trusted him a bit more to cash the check and actually get the money before sending the purchase to me, without worrying that he would keep the money and not send the canopy. I did have a rigger who was willing to work the escrow, in case the seller decided he needed it, but it all worked out as you would hope an honest deal would play. And I have an AWESOME canopy out of the deal!

WELL not like that! More like abject begging and just giving her all kinds of money and giving hints! After all what woman would argue that her husband does not question how much she spends on cloaths and shoes? The one who pays for her own damn clothes and shoes! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

I like to have the "Dead Kennedy's" To Drunk to Fuck blasting out OMG... haven't heard that in 20 years!! I'd go with AC/DC's Highway To Hell "look mama I'm on my way to the promised land, I'm on the highway to Hell!" "Dance with the Devil" -- Breaking Benjamin "Inside the Fire" -- Disturbed See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Reminds me of something nice done for me a few years ago. A well-known, older jumper at my DZ made an announcement that he had a free pair of gloves for someone with small hands. I went over, and the gloves fit me perfectly (like they were made for me). Turns out there were originally owned by a friend/ former teammate of his who had recently died. I still wear them on every jump, and think about where they came from each time I do. That this totally cool jumper would part with something he could have kept to remember his friend by, just to let someone else to get some use out of them, was really touching. I didn't even know the previous owner, but I wish I had. At least I still know the "middle man" who chose to pass them on! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

And come on over to Eloy for Nationals, if you're still in the area at the end of October. I would also like to add my two cents about "what to do now." Definitely reconnect with the friends you lost because of the loser. It will make you feel so much better when they forgive you and welcome you back (you won't feel lonely after that!) Next, go out and do the stuff that used to piss off the loser. Stuff you stopped doing because he would get mad. If he contacts you, reply that you can't talk because you're too busy doing whatever fun activity, with lots of other cool people (specifically name some of the friends you lost, even if they aren't there). It really is empowering to throw that back at the control freak. Don't talk to him, but electronic replies are fine (in other words, don't get into a situation where he could possibly interrupt). After that, ignore any further attempts to contact you. Trust me -- I've been there. The first thing I did that got me away was to look him in the eye and say that I didn't have to justify myself to him anymore. The last thing was to finally reply to written communication that my life had done nothing but improve since I left him (and listed the ways I'd become stronger/more independent), and if I never heard from him again it would be too soon. About 13 years later (no shit), he tried to contact me again. I wrote back, "what part of never was unclear to you? Don't answer, because you are never to contact me again." It pissed me off that he had tried to contact me, but at the end of the day, it felt good after all those years still to be able to tell off that jackass without hesitation -- and not to care whether he "got it" or not.

Fab stuff! Your reaction to "inner critic" was awesome. One catch: on your lists of what injuries you didn't suffer you have "laceration." Umm... yeah, you got that when the bone protruded from your arm. However, (in response to your p.s. above), I think you portrayed your comparative situation quite nicely. Definitely not smug! You are absolutely correct. In the realm of what could go wrong, you have the right perspective. Heal up fast! Can't wait to see you back in the sky.

[sigh, rolls eyes] The only reason I'm "feeding" this is because I agree with Cyndi. Shah exaggerates!! There were some super cute girls in that class. That's the last I'm going to argue here. (and the one in the back doing the backup singing had a great bod). See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

One was singing backup at the back of the room. One was on a table performing. One more was a violinist. And that's just those involved in the performance! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

If you get in that situation again, just bring up your lurker account (although present it like you thought it was just another dating site ). Don't mention that you know he is on there -- just say how shocked you were by some of the posts, and mention your screen name. I'm pretty sure 1) the conversation will quickly be over, and 2) he won't ever send you photos across that account again!! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

"We" should first change some issues/ways by which men perceive themselves. Try being that professional, military woman. I've been (and have seen my female peers be) that opportunity for a man to be the "military dependent" -- either with me at my duty station abroad, or at his own home, collecting some serious benefits. In my experience, guys run away from that scenario. (note -- this is a very simplistic, broad generalization of the myriad of reasons relationships fail, but this is part of it). Instead, everyone wonders what's wrong with me if I have so much going for me but haven't managed to land a husband. Yep, I must be fundamentally flawed. So, I say that those who have an issue with how men are perceived should start with the one in the mirror. No, it doesn't. That was one of the main agruments against opening combat jobs to women. When women "started coming home in body bags" in the wars of this century, you did not see the popular outcry so many predicted. I appreciated that all of the fallen tend to receive similar recognition, regardless of gender. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!