TriGirl

The problem is that it depends on whom you ask. From your wiki link: A recent example could be seen in Iraq a few years ago. The calls for implementation of sharia by the militants were not met with alarm by the populace, mostly because each person had a different definition in his mind about what that meant. As soon as the militants started enforcing their barbaric version, the populace quite decidedly turned on them in the uprising. According to the varied comments in the OP article, it seems Libya will have to endure those same growing pains. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Congrats! I have 7 jumps to go, and plan to do them when I go home to SDC next month. Can't really jump here in Turkey without at least a B, so I'm pretty motivated to knock it out!

I can vouch for you, too! My test? Observation. I don't believe you're qualified to be hired as the circus' new bearded lady. Thick beard, but no boobies. Conclusion: you're not a chick. And yeah, that does suck about your reserve! My worst "show up but can't jump" story was Fitz this year, although that was luck of the draw. I was in the beginning stages of a rather nasty cold (congested all weekend). Still had a great time, though! I mean, come on, it's Fitz! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Kind of defeats the purpose, John! Although every bottle that gets opened at my place for one of my gatherings will certainly be tested by me before serving. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Turns out we had a worldwide party!

Excellent!

That was great. I also loved the twisted canopy! Thanks for adding your video. You're doing great! Well done.

FIFY! I don't want to know how he creates a "pole." However, +1 on your "other" requirement. I would also add "never married." There is a reason why for some of us. I agree with the "don't need it," except for the purpose of getting benefits (the legal/civil reason) from my federal job. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

My mother had a similar idea, but for 10 years. For the second or third time (when renewing the first time, or after 20 years of marriage, going for the next 10), couples could get a permanent marriage. I thought it sounded like a good idea! Plus, since a lot of couples have big anniversary parties at these decade milestones, it wouldn't be much of a change to make it a "remarriage" ceremony/reception. There's also the Pagan practice of Handfasting. It's like a trial marriage for a year and a day. It starts May 1 & ends May 2 of the next year (so you can't just go from one to another). After the full time is up, you can choose whether to marry permanently or move on. I've been told this is where the June wedding tradition comes from. ("back in the day" it didn't take long to plan a wedding when it was just the village in attendance). See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

How is it working for you tho? Okay -- should have phrased that better. I'm with Skymama on that one: I just can't imagine being able to try using it without giggling! How's that new gadget working for YOU? See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

holy shit. dude, you owe me a new keyboard! I wonder what those guys thought of the commercial once they saw how they looked using it. I thought the Shake Weight was bad! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Yes, it was a good one! Thanks for bumping it, Squeak.

Well, that's one way to solve the problem! Very punny. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Okay, now we have mixed terminology. Is it aborting a fetus, or terminating a pregnancy? If she were one week away from giving birth and wanted her pregnancy terminated (or really, having the fetus removed, e.g. aborting the fetus)? Sure, I have absolutely no problem with that. Women choose all the time when to deliver, for whatever reason. If the fetus/baby survives the transition, and the mother does not want it? We have laws in place to help out with that, too. She doesn't have to take it home. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

DADT was applicable to gay men/women only? Well, the argument could be made that DADT applied to straight people in that it prohibited them from actively looking for evidence that other servicemen were gay, but that's not really what's being discussed. It's pretty tough to see how the following would apply to straight people: (b) Policy.— A member of the armed forces shall be separated from the armed forces under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense if one or more of the following findings is made and approved in accordance with procedures set forth in such regulations: (1) That the member has engaged in, attempted to engage in, or solicited another to engage in a homosexual act or acts unless there are further findings, made and approved in accordance with procedures set forth in such regulations, that the member has demonstrated that— (A) such conduct is a departure from the member’s usual and customary behavior; (B) such conduct, under all the circumstances, is unlikely to recur; (C) such conduct was not accomplished by use of force, coercion, or intimidation; (D) under the particular circumstances of the case, the member’s continued presence in the armed forces is consistent with the interests of the armed forces in proper discipline, good order, and morale; and (E) the member does not have a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts. (2) That the member has stated that he or she is a homosexual or bisexual, or words to that effect, unless there is a further finding, made and approved in accordance with procedures set forth in the regulations, that the member has demonstrated that he or she is not a person who engages in, attempts to engage in, has a propensity to engage in, or intends to engage in homosexual acts. (3) That the member has married or attempted to marry a person known to be of the same biological sex. One word: threesome. Or (and I did see at least one case like this), two hetero couples are out on the town (at least one woman and one man are active duty service members). Later that evening, the two men ask the two women to engage in certain acts with each other, to get the guys "turned on." In one case that I know of, the information was relayed in a military court, under oath and on the record. No one stopped the line of questioning when it was obvious where it was going, and the very junior rank woman answered the question about what happened that evening (she didn't know to refuse to answer). I knew the lawyers were going to recommend discharge for the homosexual behavior (not coerced), but I don't know how that ended. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Same reason men their chests waxed. An even bigger rip off. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

just curious, why wait until Spring? The "season" in Florida is opposite everywhere else, so now would be a great time to start. Especially with hurricane season almost over!

A lot of that is probably performance anxiety. You've just been told all the stuff that can go wrong, and the huge list of procedures to do in each case to fix it. ("if this, then this, but only when that, and never in this case" etc) It's a lot to keep in mind. Next, the instructor goes back to the calm, easy "let's go skydive!" and tries to reassure you that you only have a few things to do on this skydive, but your head is still kind of reeling from the stack of information you've just been given. Add to the fact that you're probably on a budget for this new hobby, so you don't WANT to have to repeat anything, thereby putting more pressure on yourself to do it right the fist time. I second the advice of many others here. If you have something specific that you know concerns you, go back over that with your instructors. If, like me, you know you love it but still get the severe anxiety, it seems the only solution is to push through it and jump. I still have good days and bad days, but I just focus on how great I feel when I'm jumping, and it helps me get past it. Good luck! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Yes you can. If you win something we'll ship it to you. If you win a local only prize (such as a massage) we'll put your ticket back into the proverbial hat and draw again.

Well, I'll echo the "go get checked out" advice if you're having trouble breathing. As for the pain, I gutted through it and walked around a bit. Get the CO2 moving around a bit -- it seemed to dissipate faster that way (at least for me). Don't go nuts. Just slow, easy movements around the house first (reaching up, slow trunk twists, easy & slow side bends), then as it eases up walk slowly around the block. Did you get an incentive sporameter (sp?)? While that will be uncomfortable at first, it will help expand your lungs and work everything out of your thoracic cavity (once you can breathe more comfortably, of course). Good luck! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

+10 See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

You mean I might actually stand a chance of winning something this time? Sounds like you've been working really hard on this one. Well done, and good luck on the fundraising. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Ooooooooo... you are one vicious woman! What? He already tried to be nice! You assume he has the time for more. Plus, he has to consider the possibility of a few extra bangs (may be a very small percentage overall) against dealing with exponentially more "crazy." I say he should take care of his own mental health and find the way to cut them away! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

It has been said many many times in many different ways. Responding to her only to seems to motivate her further. Next step: send it again, and CC her husband (or "accidentally" send it to him instead of her). See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Skydive City is hosting its 50th anniversary reunion for Turkey Boogie over Thanksgiving. Roughly 10 days of lots of fun stuff going on, and I would imagine a ton of fun people. Even if you don't jump, come on out to enjoy the festivities! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!