VanillaSkyGirl

Since your comment is directed at me, I'll comment back to you. First, nothing that I've written in my post would have Shah think that I've said anything even remotely close to being a "swinger". Sorry, but as a lady, who is quite selective, I feel that being called a "swinger" (based on a post, where I wrote completely the opposite) is the same as being called a "slut". I am the furthest thing from that, and having someone falsely imply that online based on absolutely nothing written in my post is NOT COOL with me. So yes, I take it as a personal attack because it was MEANT by Shah to be degrading. Sorry to disappoint the insecure internet bullies, but I don't put up with the kind of disrespectful, misogynistic crap that comes out of men like Shah's mouths. Nor will I put up with it online. Like anyone else, I expect respect. Shah cannot expect to continually demean an entire gender and not have someone (or everyone) call him out on it. In case you haven't noticed, Shah's whole agenda is to insult and degrade women. The way he does it online is to slip in small insults, which can fall under the radar, like the "swinger' comment. He enjoys twisting our posts into something completely different in order to meet his own agenda. BrokenR1, that would be like me calling you and Shah gay lovers, and strongly implying that you both said it in your posts. There is nothing wrong with homosexuality, and they generally have more fun than straight guys, so why would that be a personal attack? (I know, I know...you're not Shah's lover, just his fan.) See how that works? Would that be cool with you two? It's not exactly "OK" to insinuate that, right?

Thanks so much, Betsy. Happy holidays to you, lovely lady!

Trust me, you definitely PMed me asking me why I was being so mean to you, but posting PMs is bad form, so I won't do that to you. Ugh, I agree with you on one count. You are right about too many choices making things way more difficult. It makes it very difficult to choose, when there are many good options. That said, you are too logical/analytical for your own good. You need to stop trying to fit everything into boxes. Feelings and chemistry cannot be seen via a dating resume and doesn't fit into any box. Nor do the numbers work out, when it comes to love and the many challenges (ups and downs) of life and relationships. Again, good luck. Don't try to figure it all out now...just live and be happy.

I know! I would feel like my life had sunk to an all new low if I ever reduced myself to trying to pick up a random guy in a bar. Exactly, Skymama! Hey lovely lady, PM me your mailing address. I'm sending out Christmas cards tomorrow, and I've been meaning to ask you, if you have the same address. Miss you!

I did? You sure? hu...must have been a bad time? Such is life. Trust me, you did. I am positive that you would remember, and if not, wow...for you to be so upset and to not remember is just strange. Love and life are not numbers games. They're not games at all. Good luck.

I always understood. See? Trust me, I understand. I was trying to be nicer to him. Back then, Shah PMed me several times asking me why I was being so "mean" to him, just like a whiny little b*tch

AGAIN, I NEVER agreed with anything that you said. I NEVER implied that I was anything like a swinger at all. I am a person who only dates on man at a time, and I would NEVER date a "man" like you, even if there was no other human left on this earth. Since you are more screwed up than I thought and have apparently forgotten how to read and comprehend writing, I had to actually write that out for you. I cannot believe that you are a real human being, much less a male one. Don't worry, Shah. You're obviously a person who needs desperately to find happiness and validation from his (failed) relationships because you are unhappy within yourself. We all "get it". No need to keep trying to prove anything else. You insult me, provoke me or post another personal attack like that (calling me a swinger), and trust me, you will be sorry. That is NOT COOL, and you completely crossed the line.

Thanks everyone... It is the 12th anniversary of my 26th b-day Haha, I love it! I'm super-late, but happy belated birthday, Renee! I hope it was a great one!

Ok, I just saw this reply because frankly, I was busy trying to work. What are you talking about? I never agreed with you, except when YOU said that what I wrote was gooooood. I have no idea what kind of scary scenarios that you are making up in your head, but what the hell are you talking about? Seriously, you need to be bitch slapped in order for you to stop and listen. Of course, there are many amazing skydiving (and non-skydiving) men and women, too! I love my skydiving friends...many of them are like brothers an sisters to me. When did any of us women say otherwise? Women who skydive CAN find true love with men who skydive. In the last two weeks alone, there have been 5 engagements among Southern Californian skydiving couples, and many other long-term jumper couples are having babies. What I don't understand is why men and women even have to date or not-date, have a boyfriend/girlfriend, settle down, get married, have kids, or do anything else that society says that a person has to do... People who are not fully happy with themselves will never find happiness within another. (That was for you, Shah. Work on yourself, first, buddie. I think you'll be much happier, overall with your outcome, if you do this. I believe that you could turn your attitude around, still.) As for introducing our male skydiving friends to our female friends, I personally do introduce them. That said, most of my female friends are skydivers. We have about a 40% female to 60% male ratio here in Southern California, remember? Every skydiving male knows that. If not, you may as well be a whuffo. Shah, in response to your last line about ladies picking up men at local bars, most skydivers are jumping out of planes on the weekends, not cruising local bars. I highly doubt that many of our skybabes are trying to "find that cool guy at the local bar". Even if we do go to some great restaurants or bars, I have never felt the need to date some stranger from a bar! For one thing, that's just not a classy thing to do. Also, I've always thought...why would I try to pick up someone else, when I already have the best by my side? The trick is to walk in with that awesome guy, not pick him up there.

he he that there was goooooooood!

Please do NOT feel as though you have to buy an hour. Most skydivers, "D" license or not, do not get the chance to fly that much tunnel time at once. Any amount of time, that you can afford would be a wonderful gift, even 5, 10 or 15 minutes. I used to work at a tunnel, and 10-15 minute sessions are just fine for most jumpers to see a good amount of improvement. (Non-jumper gifts would be 2-4 minute sessions.) Most jumpers would feel happy with a 15 minute session, so I'd recommend that, but only if it's affordable for you. If you can buy more, that's great. I'm sure that your son will be thrilled with any amount, and that he'll feel happy that you support his passion. Happy holidays!

Unless I'm mistaken, all I see in your first paragraph is bla, bla, bla... I believe that in your last sentence, you meant to call yourself an "amateur", not "armature". *No worries, we get it. That said, I don't mean to be rude, but my post was never directed at you, Shah.* May I remind you that this is Bonfire, and that all skydivers are welcome to post their opinion, not just those named Shah. I kind-of sick of the same few posters holding threads hostage, time and again. Fyi, REAL post-jumping bonfires don't work that way, either. Everyone mingles and chats in front of the bonfire TOGETHER.

Love this, Remi & love Gordo's video! Now, that I'm jumping again (my back's healing well), I'll be on the next one. John already added me to the roster. Woohoo, can't wait until March!

That's not giving men enough credit. Sure, there are more than a few worthy exceptions. Actually, there are plenty of amazing men out there, both those who do and don't jump. I'm pretty certain that most men aren't turned off, nor intimidated by the sporting activities that a woman choses to do. No matter how bad-ass, if a girl is classy, a man will almost always treat her like a lady. Personally, the non-jumper men that I've been in serious relationships with were kind, confident, successful *and* incredible athletes in their own right, so they had their own passions and activities. Therefore, there was always an understanding of my passion for skydiving. I've never chosen to be with a man, who isn't supportive, impressed, proud and happy for me. It's easy to find out pretty quickly, if a man will be supportive or not. (Luckily, I'm not attracted to TOOLS.) If a man says that he is intimidated or that a girl is "too good" for him, perhaps he is letting the girl down nicely. Either that, or the man may have insecurity issues. A CONFIDENT, successful and smart man will virtually always want the whole package, not less.

So true!

I agree 100% with both of your posts, Wendy.

I was silently pulling up all of your old posts. We all loved you very much, as well, Dennis. We will always love you. I hope that you & Michele (themitchyone) and all of our gone, yet beloved jumper friends from Perris (Eli, Pat, etc.) are partying it up in the skies forever! Blue skies, my dear friend!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!! /happysnoopydance! That was our last duck to put into the skydiving row. Now...to get Natalie to Perris... Depending on the date, if Natalie lands in L.A. and needs a ride, I can drive her out to Perris. I'd also love to jump with her, if her Tandem Master is ok with me flying with them, or I can just be there for support. Whatever Natalie needs and wants is good with me.

Thanks for the morning laugh!

That's awesome, Steve! I'll let you know whenever I'm in Arizona to jump, since I'm only an 8 hr. car trip away from Eloy. Congrats on your job!

Mark Kirkby completed his 150 miles at 3 pm today - 11/11/11. Mark's last post update states: "It was a grueling 48 hours, but I did it! Arrived at 1500 at VA. Happy Veterans Day! A big thanks to all the soldiers out there for everything that they do!" ***Congratulations to Mark for running 150 miles and for the awesome fundraising!! Inspiring doesn't even begin to describe this. If anyone wants to contribute to the Special Ops Warriors fundraising (see link in 1st post), that would be a fantastic gesture. Again, thanks to ALL who have served!

Uli (from Fury) posted this on Mark's facebook Wall 12 hours ago. "This action picture was taken at around mile 75." I'll update, when Mark finishes!!!

Skydiving world champion, coach, friend, MARK KIRKBY began running two days ago. He is running 150 miles in the hopes of raising $15,000 for the Special Operations Warriors Foundation : http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/mark-kirkby/special-operations-warrior-foundation Mark is hoping to end his run this morning (yes, he was running all night) in front of the Vet's Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. His last update was 8 hours ago, "112 miles done!" Please help him to achieve his financial goal, as he is approx. $1,400 from raising $15,000 for the Special Ops Warriors, which is a very deserving cause, especially on Veteran's Day. Please help to spread the word and do a very good deed. Happy Remembrance Day in honor of all of the Veterans out there, and thanks, everyone!!

LouDiamond - Wishing you a happy belated birthday, Scott! Betsy - It's great to see a post from you. Hope you're doing very well, lovely lady!