VanillaSkyGirl

It is not my place to judge that which I cannot understand (mental illness or breakdown), but this is heartbreaking. I'm reposting my initial post when I first heard the news on Facebook:                                                                                                               This is incredibly sad, tragic and horrific. I’m in total shock and so saddened. It’s tragic that Billy was unable to get help for himself and his family in time. Mental health needs to be a much bigger priority throughout the world, and we all need to keep our eye out on one another. Someone who has suddenly slipped into a mental delusion or psychosis is unable to help him or herself. We can only hope that with the right medications, support and therapy, tragedies like this can be avoided. May the family Rest In Peace.  

This photo goes way back to 2007/2008, but it's one of my favorite memories of Lisa H. We had such a fun night!  

Blue skies, dear Lisa! Love you. 

 

Hello everyone! ~

It's been ages.  Looks like I picked a good time to check DZ.com, since I see so many familiar faces/names. 

I hope that everyone is doing incredibly well. Sending big hugs to all! 

On 2/23/2020 at 12:38 PM, jclalor said:

After 50 years of physicals and seeing nothing but bored faces while listening to my heart, watching her bored face turn to a concerned face was sure eye opening. 

I'll bet. I hope all went as well as possible, and that you are now recuperating with loved ones. Blue skies! :)

wolfriverjoe

C'mon. How about the fun people.

AggieDave was mentioned.

How about Lucky McSwervy?
DSquared?
ILuv2Fly?

The "three Smutskateers"?

How about Gonzala?
I haven't heard the Greenskeepers in a long time.

Turtle? Bolas? VanillaSkyGirl?

Lots more that I can't think of right now.

Thanks for thinking of me! I'm doing great, and I hope that you (and everyone else) are also doing very well!
In December 2016, I finally stopped skydiving/sold my gear. Before that, I was skydiving for several years, and it was wonderful to achieve goals (bigway formation records) in the sport. More importantly than any of that, I've made lifelong friends on almost all continents. I cannot imagine my life without the impact that skydiving and my sky family has had on it.

It seems like a lifetime ago that we were all on DZ.com discussing life on Bonfire, but I truly feel that this helped me to discover more about myself and to expand my horizons by meeting such diverse people. I've always been attracted to friends with strikingly different lifestyles, points of view, etc. As a person who is shy/introverted by nature, Bonfire helped me to use my written words as way to tackle that. Bonfire created a whole new world for many of us. For that, I am thankful.

When I think of Bonfire, I think of all of us about 10-15 years ago, before other forms of social media were big. That was a special time. I miss all of you.

turtlespeed

***

Quote

High.

I wish. Damn things don't do shit other than mess with my balance (oh and make me not have scary seizures).

How the hell are you?

Unbanned

Wow, you got banned recently?

How's life, Turtle?
We should resurrect the OG DZ.commer's Bonfire!

Opie

From a dz.com far far ago.

That was an awesome time and place!

Yes. Hi Lisa!

I freaking miss ya, Skybytch.

They just tried the same with me and wrote a ridiculous email after I asked where she jumps/dropzone reference and for"her" full name, etc. Here is the response:

"Thanks for your prompt response ,I was just about to book the pick up
schedule with the pick up agent when i had a problem about their
payment method. They are only accepting payment through Western union
money transfer but i am currently on sea due to my status of work, so
i want to add the pick up agent pick up fee to your item cost price
credited to your Paypal account and the pick up fee is ($500.00) so i
will be crediting the total amount of($1,900.00), the extra ($100.00)
is for the Western union transfer fee for you to transfer the pick up
agent fee through Money gram. Once i have these done and you have pick
up agent fee sent to them, the pick up arrangement will be
scheduled,just wanted to let you know before i proceed with the
payment, please advice and i please advice and i will be looking
forward to read from"

I'm in 2nd place, again. I was in 1st by about 100 likes this morning, but the other person to beat has shared hers over 40 times and is tagging every person she knows to share and/or like her photo.

My friends are mostly having an amazing Sunday skydiving, having fun outdoors or with friends. Thank you for being awesome and not sitting at home. *I'm going on a solo 10 mile hike in the 20 mph winds in a bit myself. Wish me luck!

Please LIKE this photo when you are done jumping today. It's the final day, and I'm in 2nd place by quite a few.

Thanks, everyone! https://www.facebook.com/dulcelinamagazine/photos/a.1528237190749626.1073741830.1487622321477780/1528237204082958/?type=3&theater

Thank you, all! Today is the last day to vote for my photo in this "Halloween selfie" contest. One contender has shared her photo 34 times & is gaining! Please click on photo of me and "like" my photo on Dulcelina's contest page.

The magazine actually asked me to enter, and this was just a photo I snapped for my BF as I threw together a costume for Skydive Taft's Halloween costume party, during their boogie weekend. I was to be the RW Load Organizer, before I became very sick. We had bad weather, too.

The skydiving, dropzone, boogie backstory would be very interesting for the magazine IMO.

Thanks so much for the awesome support, everyone, and please spread the love by sharing my photo and/or liking, if possible.

irishrigger

you got my vote!

Thank you! The contest ends today. I haven't been around much to ask for the help, but thanks to you and to all who have shown support. I really appreciate it!

JohnMitchell

Cute pic! What's not to like? Done.

Thank you, John, and thanks to the other John (Catfishhunter), Lisa and Andrea, too!

skymama

Some of the others don't even have "selfies", they're just photos of them. They should be kicked out of the contest!
I hope you win!

Thank you so much, Andrea! I also hope to win. Yeah, I noticed that many pics weren't selfies at all, and I thought that was pretty weak! Anyway, the magazine loved my photo which they saw on instagram, and they asked me if I would enter, so I hope this works out.

It's crazy because when I took that selfie, I was super sick. I was supposed to be LOing for the Halloween boogie at Taft, but I ended up too sick to jump. (Had a friend fill-in for me as LO.) I almost didn't go to the boogie party. I got ready pretty fast and snapped a couple of selfies for my BF (who was DJing at a party in L.A.) before leaving my hotel room. I'm flattered that they deemed it contest worthy!

I'm currently in 2nd place, but I'd appreciate it if I could get some more likes, so I have a chance to win. I'd love to let them know more about our skydiving community, if possible. It's an alternative magazine, so I'm sure they'd be interested.

Blue skies, everyone, and thanks in advance!

Hello everyone,
A new alternative art and lifestyle magazine, Dulcelina, asked me via Instagram if they could use my photo for a "Halloween selfie" contest. I realized after agreeing, that it was to take place on Facebook, not Instagram. My photo is being used as part of their Halloween selfie contest.

If you are on Facebook and have a moment, would you "Like" this photo on Dulcelina Magazine's page of me. If I win, they will feature me in the magazine's December issue. I am currently in 3rd place.

Please like their photo of me as a Leopardess. Here is the link to my pic: https://www.facebook.com/dulcelinamagazine/photos/a.1528237190749626.1073741830.1487622321477780/1528237204082958/?type=1&theater

Thank you in advance, everyone!

Skydive Taft now owns a beautiful Beech 99 plane and is celebrating with a Halloween Boogie, Oct. 31st - Nov. 2nd!
Load Organizing
Freefly = Peter Dilger (Sat, Nov. 1st - Sun, Nov. 2nd)
RW = Rosa Alva (Sat, Nov. 1st - Sun, Nov. 2nd) w/ special guest LO, my friend Joe Chlad
Wingsuit = Joel Hindman (Fri, Oct. 31st - Sun, Nov. 2nd)

Join us for fun Costume jumps, SCR, Pink Mafia initiations, etc. We will also have Heli jumps, Pumpkin Chunkin, Pumpkin Carving Contest & Halloween Costume Party on Saturday night w/ DJ Riccochet & Rosa's famous jello shots and much, much more...

Oct. 31st -FRIDAY NIGHT:
Get your tools ready, it's pumpkin carving contest time! The winner will pay only $20 on jump tickets for the weekend!

(Fineprint: Must bring own pumpkin and carving tools. Must carve own pumpkin, and start at same time as everyone else, including preparation. Beginning time is right after sunset load lands.)

Nov. 1st - SUNRISE:
We're opening extra early on Saturday at 6:45am to catch the sunrise! Coffe and donuts will be available. :)

SATURDAY PUMPKIN DROP CONTEST:
Hop & Pop. $5 cash to participate, DZ will provide pumpkins. Winner keeps all the cash from registrations.

SATURDAY NIGHT COSTUME PARTY:
DJ Ricochet (Adrian Bond) will be spinning in the main hanger while the photo booth will be open for business outside. Ahem, plus...jello shots will be available. Be there!

Nov. 2nd -SUNDAY HELI JUMPS:
$75 per jump. Pre-manifesting is already happening, call the office during business hours to secure your slot.

Skydive Taft is going big, and the occasion calls for it. It is their one year anniversary, and they want to celebrate with all of you. Come on out and help all of us to make this weekend the most special one, yet!

Let us know if you plan on coming to Skydive Taft's Halloween Boogie, and stay tuned for more details, everyone. Here is the Facebook link:

[url "https://www.facebook.com/events/373278409487793/"]Skydive Taft's Halloween Boogie[/URL]

First, thank you so much for the congratulations! It was a fun event with both new and old friends from around the world, and we didn't have any major injuries, so we are happy about that.
To answer if each stage of the tracking wave break-offs were signaled by the deployments, the Original Poster is correct. We had 3 different pull-outs (ladies who deployed while still in the formation) to signal each of the track off wave altitudes. We had 3 different tracking waves leaving at 3 different altitudes.

If any of the pull-outs (ladies deploying at each stage to signal each break off wave) has a mal, hard pull or goes low, etc, we have Plan B. We had a "Hard Deck" for each of our break off tracking teams. There is always a back-up plan in case of human error.

To answer about whether or not the 1st and 2nd (middle) tracking waves had enough separation, the 2nd wave knows they are in between the 1st and 3rd tracking team. They know to track less hard than the 1st wave. I've been a tracking leader in the 2nd wave (in the Square One 200-way sequentials a few years back), and I knew to be aware of the tracking teams in front and behind me.

Usually I am a part of the 1st wave track off as I was for the last Women's Record. I was a 1st wave tracking leader in 2009, and I must say that I prefer that. We can really crank it out at the later half of the track, which is ideal.

Just fyi, the camera flyers are all aware of where the pull-outs will be, so they are not super close during the deployments. The pull-outs are placed in areas where the proper tracking teams can see the deployments. Also, we are all told to leave on "body extraction" from the formation, not upon the pilot chute's extraction. We could still have a record if a person's pilot chute is out, but the person's body is still intact in the formation with all grips in place.

Cheers, everyone, and thanks for the support!

JohnMitchell

Damn, that's some great prizes.

When and where will the drawing be held?

Aww, you're so sweet to humor me, John. I know that you know the answer to this!

Thanks for asking!

The raffle drawing is on Friday, October 17, 2014 at approx. 7:00pm at Skydive Perris during our Women's World Sequential Record Event. The winner doesn't need to be present and will be notified by email.

Thanks so much to all who have donated, and thanks to those who will buy more raffle tickets this weekend.

If you'd like to purchase raffle tickets in person, please see me, and I'll give you a raffle number at Chicks Rock. The tickets are $20 per person. Thank you to all!!!

It's the final week, so please send payment now, if you would like to purchase raffle tickets. This helps me on my journey to the women's world record in Oct. '14.

Raffle tickets are $20.00 USDper ticket.

Please send payment to paypal: [email protected]

Raffle prizes:

Grand Prize #1:
Aerodyne Icon Container, Aerodyne Pilot main canopy, Aerodyne Research, LLC Smart reserve, Vigil 2 AAD, A Weekend of coaching with Dan BC, LiquidSky Sports jumpsuit, Phantom X Helmet, L & B Audible, L & B Visual Altimeter, Exo Helmet Bag, Exo Log Book Cover, Brand X Log Book, Square1 Summer Gloves and Square1 4” Hook Knife w/ Pocket

Grand Prize #2:
Squirrel Wing Suit, Icarus Canopies Safire2, Crossfire2 main canopy, 50% off Icarus Nano reserve, $1000 P3 Gift Certificate
Liquid Sky jumpsuit, Phantom X Helmet, L&B Audible and Visual Altimeter, Exo Helmet Bag, Brand X Log Book, Exo Log Book Cover, Square1 Summer Gloves and Square1 4” Hook Knife w/ Pocket.

Eight Square One Runner-Up Prizes:
Eight assorted prize packages valued up to $550, including Square One accessory items such as a Kiss Helmet, Phantom X Helmet, Exo Helmet Bag, Square One Helmet Bag, Brand X Log Book, Exo Log Book Cover, Square1 Summer Gloves and Square1 4” Hook Knife.

RAFFLE DRAWING: Friday, October 17, 2014 @ 7:00pm

Thank you sooooo much for the support!

JohnMitchell

All the best to all the wonderful women in the WWR.

I was just talking to someone about Prague today. I think that's on our short list for vacations.

Thank you so much, John! I am really looking forward to seeing my wonderful friends from around the world. Having been on the last women's world record which was also a breast cancer awareness/prevention fundraiser, I am in this for a different reason this time. I want to make sure that all the newer women are having a good time and feeling welcome. I want them to remember this event as amazing an experience as I remember my own world record event was for me.
Btw, I highly recommend Prague. You and Valinda would love it. It's so beautiful, and there is so much history.

Thank you again for your support, John and everyone else. If anyone still wants to purchase tickets, feel free to PAYPAL $20 per raffle ticket to [email protected]. Thanks again, everyone!

JohnMitchell

Hey, you told me I bought the winning tickets already.

Haha, oh yeah! John, I would love for you and Valinda to have the winning tickets! With all of the fundraising that you two have done for LFL. You both deserve it so much! Thanks so much for your support, btw.

I blew it by being in Prague training in their wind tunnel, instead of being in town for LFL. I'll have to go next year! Sending hugs and love to you both!
P.S. Thanks to those who have sent in donations since my last post went up. You have no idea how much this means to me. Hugs and good luck to all with the WWR raffle!

Thank you to all who have purchased raffle tickets. Your help means a great deal, especially since I have no income at the moment. (My program at the Boys Home has not yet begun for the year.)

For those who would still like to purchase raffle tickets, the paypal addresses which you may send payment to for the WWR raffle tickets are the following:

[email protected]

or [email protected]

The raffle tickets are $20 each. In the notes, please write 'WWR" and your email, so I know what it is. (Paypal does't like to see the words "raffle", so please avoid that. Thanks!) If you'd like to send a check, please send an email to one of the email addresses above.
See my first post for the raffle prizes. The grand prizes include all of those prizes for ONE person each, and there are 8 runner-up prizes. It is the raffle to beat all raffles for the prizes alone!

Thanks to all for your support, and you will be notified if you win. Good luck to all!

crage

Are they capping the number of tickets being sold? I'd like to know my chances :)

No, of course not. That would not be fair to the others. These tickets are only $20, not $100.

***The raffle events which sell a limited number are always $100 each or more. These are $20 each, and anyone can buy.

That said, I know the person in charge of the Women's World Record raffle, and she says that the ticket sales overall are much lower than expected, so the chances of winning are much higher than would be expected.

Good luck to all!

Oh, I'm so sorry that you had it so rough as a child, Hannah! I figured as much, since you waited for so long for your exterior change to match your true interior self. I'm glad that you finally did what was best for you. Making yourself feel whole is what really matters!

I'm happy that you finally saw the video, and I posted it after seeing it and spent a few days (hours per day) watching others' videos about being transgender. I wanted to better understand.

Yes, I'm sure that there is still much work ahead as you've stated, but I'm happy for the changes that seem to have been made towards more education and acceptance. I wish everyone going through such a struggle the very best in life, no matter what gender they choose to be. I'm sure that I'm not alone.

May you continue to find your true happiness, lovely Hannah.
P.S. Thank you so much for educating so many, including myself, with your posts and photos. You look so happy. I especially love your post-skydiving smile, yay!

Hello to him! I've also seen your and Amy's posts on FB. Harry is adorable.
I hope Harry continues to do much better. Congratulations to all!