Taz

I voted good. The bad parts were pretty low, but then, this year pain has just tended to remind me that I'm human and I'm alive, both of which I'm pretty happy with. The highs--getting paid for work that I love. Teaching a self-defense and empowerment class to a group of teenage girls whose families live in one-room shacks and watching them start to dream of deserving a better life. Having unparalleled adventures in places most people will never see. Being in love. Jumping out of airplanes. Landing in one piece. The big toughie--In June I lost my absolute best girlfriend in the city I call home for now (Joburg). She didn't survive her 69th skydive, and being at the scene was one of the most intense things I have ever experienced. But, after all the anger and the crying, I really feel like it was her time to move on and she's somewhere smiling--and like she would kick my ass and remind me of all the amazing stuff of 2003 if I didn't vote "good"

Silly question: If I need to ship a box to Eloy, what's the address? Thx! -T It's the Year of the Dragon.

Now that you've mastered your own version of the stew, you must organize to cook it for her and see what she thinks

You totally rock. That does sum it up nicely... Rocky! Looking forward to meeting you in Eloy, with your nice TAN!!! (I'm jealous...it's so cold here...) It's the Year of the Dragon.

I'm with you! The problem is, unlike the last one, this one will turn to slush before I can go sledding or jump off the roof into giant snowpiles. What's up with that?? Time to hibernate till Eloy... -T God didn't intend people to settle in this part of the country, I swear. It's the Year of the Dragon.

MAYBE 5 seconds... I prefer snow in the face while sledding than standing outside in it barefoot. It's the Year of the Dragon.

Oh--very cute. Cat vibes on the way.... >

Hey! Count me in to the Deferential flunkie detention! It's something to be proud of. Makes life a much more interesting place... It's the Year of the Dragon.

Same reason there are more guys than girls who are tenured professors and politicians. It's a historically/traditionally male thing. That's changing, though. When you've got the Sugar Gliderz and all the amazing women who just completed the Women's VRW World Record, just to mention one recent example of chicks kicking ass in the sport, you know women are reaching a critical mass. This means that as women, we can find female mentors, jump in female teams, and be introduced to the sport by female AFF instructors. Makes all the difference. With reference to the dating and intimidation stuff... The great thing about women who skydive and get good at it, is that they aren't afraid to do their own thing. Any guy, skydiver or whuffo, who is "unmanned" by that isn't worth the time, in my opinion. -T It's the Year of the Dragon.

Very nice rig. Sorry about your shoulder, but it will heal... and now you have new toys to motivate you! -T It's the Year of the Dragon.

Hm, reasonable point... but two polls... one involving skydiving and the other involving sex, arguably two of the most important things in life... What's more interesting is that when pitting GWB against skydiving AND sex, GWB seriously wins out for some people. I mean, MAYBE "permanent world peace" as an option might sway me from giving up the opportunity to jump at a boogie or have sex with my dream man. But a meeting with Georgie? No no no. Where are the priorities? -T It's the Year of the Dragon.

People voted AGAINST sex with the partner of their dreams?? I'm in shock. By the way, t, should I be concerned about your new infatuation with Georgie? -"That's T to you"

Babe, I'm so glad you understand... So then, you probably also know how I voted I had to think about it for a nanosecond--but then realized all his security would foil my plan involving a big pie and an inappropriate comment... hey! that stuff is allowed at boogies... Decision made. It's the Year of the Dragon.

It's the Year of the Dragon.

You brought home beer?? From the DZ?? Wow. Do I have to buy beer for my jump off the roof into a giant pile of snow? It's STILL snowing! About to go shovel and jump off the roof again... -T It's the Year of the Dragon.

It's awesome. By the way, I have given some ridiculous answers to whuffos who ask stupid questions about my closing pin necklace... even if they think it looks like sperm, they WILL believe anything so go ahead and have some fun if they're making you peeved. Blue skies-- -T It's the Year of the Dragon.

As soon as this madness ends (which, by the way, it is still snowing like hell outside), we snowpeople should definitely go for a beer. I am very Harvard Sq. T accessible! Update on my jumping plans: I've picked a nice drift in back of the house... had a nice jump off the balcony and plan to do it again tomorrow if this keeps up! It's the Year of the Dragon.

Excellent... at least you're putting some money in your jump fund for when it all melts!

YO! I'm about a 10 minute drive from Harvard Sq... but alas, in this, there is no movement of the car from under its giant mound of snow... I'm almost ready to walk to a pub, though, guys. -T It's the Year of the Dragon.

OUCH! *sigh* and yet, I cannot begrudge another jumper time to play in the sky. Actually, I can, but go ahead and enjoy! *grumble grumble* I'll just go out and pretend like all the white stuff is actually cloud.

I am becoming more and more serious about the possibility of jumping off the roof into the snowdrifts. At least it would be a form of jumping... right? Edited to add: Firediver, another few hours in the house with whuffo family and not even a skydiving video in sight might mean I have to dig into the secret tequila stash long before this stuff melts... Hmm, tequila + jumping off the roof might not be so good together, though. It's the Year of the Dragon.

Another December day on the Northeastern seaboard, and all I think of is.... F*&% THE SNOW!!! It's the Year of the Dragon.

No no, it's okay... go ahead, mock my pain. I guess that's part of the training they give you when you move to Florida I have two sweatshirts on, INSIDE the house. How many days till Eloy again? It doesn't snow there, does it? It's the Year of the Dragon.

You know it's bad when jumping off the roof to test the depth of the snowdrifts starts seeming like a good idea! It's the Year of the Dragon.

Nice! Good thinking on leaving last night. I can't even see the driveway right now... and I'm at my parents' house... no escape... It's the Year of the Dragon.