HeatherB

Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (good, but could have been edited waaaay down) Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers (it was a re-read for me, someone chose it for book club) While I Was Gone by Sue Miller (it was just okay) Can you keep a secret? by Sophie Kinsella (short, fairly funny, girly story) Lord Vishnu's Love Handles by Will Clarke (goofy, amusing, by a local author) The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (short, sad, good read) The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue (one of my favorites this year, might have read it in Spring, not summer, it's a fantasy/fairies story...uniquely done) Couldn't get through Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult, because it was just booooring and lame. (So many women seem to like her, but I just don't get it) American Gods by Neil Gaiman (not finished with it yet) And the 1st Harry Potter book (not finished with it yet) And a bunch of work-related books.

Ice skating, jumping, grilling, and a little bit of work!

I adore Alton Brown! Feasting on Asphalt and Good Eats are both entertaining. I'm currently making a mexican-style chicken soup for dinner tonight. Speaking of Mexican, I loooove Rick Bayless too. Emeril bugs the heck out of me for some reason but he might have some good recipes. I just can't watch his show!

I'm a vegetarian... But I eat fish. And well, yeah, sometimes chicken too. But, but, think of the animals!! (j/k) I don't care if someone calls themselves vegetarian, sober, or straight edge etc. (is that still around??) It's only annoying when people try to shove their holier-than-thou views and labels into someone else's face and it turns out the shover is a hypocrite. This wasn't directed at Jaye. She seems like a very truthful and tolerant person. I'm just ranting. I've always thought "clean" meant free of drugs and "sober" meant free of booze. I think that's right, but could be wrong.

You're one of the few people on here who has actually met me. :P Are you a boob guy or a butt guy?

I received my goodies today too, thanks! The shirt definitely hugs the boobs! I blushed just looking in the mirror. I'll definitely try the toner -- happy to see it isn't tested on animals too. Nice campaign.

Some companies will remove the extra premium for skydiving if you haven't jumped in x number of years (often 2 years) and don't expect to continue jumping. You have to request this removal of course. So, you are not necessarily "stuck" with a higher premium due to your past avocation or aviation activities. This is true for both term and permanant insurance at several companies I've worked with.

Happy birthday to our favorite Coastie! Hope you're having a nice bash and enjoying the weekend.

Thank you for your thoughts. Yes, I tried the women specific designs since I'm only 5' 1" (and a half). I didn't feel too stretched out on them, and yes, the 1600's shifters seemed nice. The ones on the 1000 were a bit puny...the little thumb ones. (bike whuffo terminology)

Trek 1600. Anyone have one? Pros? Cons? Edit: Yeah, I probably need to find a bike forum to search around for a bunch of opinions...but, it's probably just like with skydiving, "Javelin is the best! No, Mirage is the best! You suck! No, you suck!" Blah blah. Well, once I have my bike I'll at least participate in the geeky bike threads here.

Yes, that's ridiculously high, even if you're a smoker too.

For individual policies they do...at least with the companies I've placed business with: Someone who has 1000 jumps and plans to make 200 jumps within the next 12 months will have a higher premium than someone who has 100 jumps total and plans to do 20 jumps within the next 12 months.

Got it.

Sorry you took offense to my comments. I'm shocked about the incident to begin with but I was also just so surprised to read about the way he chose to do it -- with the possibility of taking out somebody else with him. But then again, I have no personal understanding of suicidal thoughts. I only knew JP from my days at Sunrise. He was one of my nicest customers. Great to work with and always appreciative. I do feel badly for his wife and girls...I can't imagine the depth of their loss.

20k is awesome! Neat idea -- congrats on the completion.

He drove into oncoming traffic first? If that's the case, it's lucky he didn't kill anyone else too. Sorry to be blunt -- the whole thing is definitely sad -- but it's one thing that came to mind when I read the story.

We had a guy commit suicide the day after his 2-year suicide exclusion ended. Sad and freaky.

Not typically. If your policy is what's called "guaranteed renewable" and you keep paying premiums, they can't drop you or rate you differently just because you've started jumping. But read the fine print on your policy and/or call your agent. I've seen one old policy so far that excluded parachuting and hang gliding specifically. Fortunately the policy owner didn't participate in those sports. (On a somewhat-related note, if your policy is 20-year term, watch out for a premium hike soon. I hope it is not 20-year term for your sake).

You're a wierdo. Do you name your body parts and your cars too? hehehe I miss you guys.

I love getting cards too. I send random cards to one of my best friends because she gets a kick out of them. I made her cry once though -- it was a really cute card and I enclosed a picture of us together when we were 14 yrs old. And I send my clients and potential clients thank you notes, birthday cards, etc. Maybe snail mail is old school but it is nice to get a handwritten note every once in a while!

What in the??? I'm coming out of the woodwork to say I hope you're feeling better. I'll sing you the sweater song if that'll help. You gots my number! You mess with the Bomb Squad, you mess with me! (I'll bite kneecaps)

You look great! Please make Peter do the chicken dance or Thriller too. On video.

Who is to say what this sport is about...it is different for each of us! And AFF and tandem instructors get paid for what they do. Yes, they give back to the sport but it's not as if they do it for free. RW competition plays a big role in many people's involvement in this sport. I see no harm in recognizing a talented RW competitor. Your first post was awfully scathing. You're discounting her skills, drive, and accomplishments because she was able to self-fund her teams?

I got pulled over for 69 in a 55 the other day but I didn't get a ticket.

No, you're smart to think that way. A lineover is chop-worthy. I've had one lineover. It spun the heck out of me and there was no doubt in my mind that it needed to be chopped. It wouldn't clear and wouldn't fly anywhere near straight not matter what I tried. This was at a 1:1 wingloading on a pretty docile canopy.