d_squared431 0 #1 July 22, 2009 Someone who you admire for things they do both online and off line. Tell why and post photos if you have them. TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1 I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #2 July 22, 2009 Rosa. She does so much for JFTC. And she seems like she's a really sweet woman. Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppie01 0 #3 July 22, 2009 So many for different reasons, but I'll post one that I've admired since I first started posting here. wmw999 - She's brilliant, beautiful on the inside and out, and a straight forward down to earth person. g"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?" Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU OMG, is she okay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OlympiaStoica 0 #4 July 22, 2009 NWFlyer ... a very smart lady, beautiful inside and out - I liked her from the moment I met her on my first 8-way at Z-hills O Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpwally 0 #5 July 22, 2009 BillVon...Hands down the most, best and accurate advice and common sense advice given has dooled out much safty info,and acomplished so much.... smile, be nice, enjoy life FB # - 1083 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmills0705 0 #6 July 22, 2009 Quote Someone who you admire for things they do both online and off line. Tell why and post photos if you have them. Lisa H without a doubt. I hope I get the chance to meet her one of these days! Do I even need to say why?!?! We all know Lisa H is the best. Moooooooo!Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #7 July 22, 2009 Nearly everyone ... for different reasons. Some for their wisdon, others for their humour and others for the crap that they spread which inspires me to rise above it (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 854 #8 July 22, 2009 Tom Noonan. Bone marrow donor. Puts everything he has and is into this sport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #9 July 22, 2009 MadJohn, John & Valinda Mitchell, Jim Bozarth. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #10 July 22, 2009 John & Valinda Mitchell and Boinky. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millertime24 8 #11 July 22, 2009 Millertimeunc (duh right) is and has always been the most inspirational person in my life.Muff #5048 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gravitysurfer 0 #12 July 22, 2009 Gawain. aloha. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #13 July 22, 2009 Well, you and airtwardo are. Many years ago you posted on adopting, I believe, your half brother. It always stuck with me. And airtwardo's heartfelt posts stick with me, as well, as inspirational. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos340 1 #14 July 22, 2009 QuoteGawain. +1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #15 July 22, 2009 Dale Elliott Sets goals and reaches them. Always has a _great_ attitude and inspires me to want to reach higher. Andrea Miller L. (Skymama) Smiles in the face of difficult personal adversities, and kicks serious butt when necessary. Seems to have a hand ready for anyone that needs a "pick me up." Scott Callantine (SDCTLC) Never quits learning, never stops teaching, always a terrific personality. Almost always has a kind word for everyone around him. Has a _lot_ of accomplishments under his belt but his primary focus is his family. Someone that can *always* be counted on. Mark Kirschenbaum (Bomb420) ALWAYS has an upbeat attitude, always good for a smile or a laugh. Totally dedicated to improving aspects of the sport of skydiving, usually at great personal expense. Someone that can *always* be counted on. Chris Warnock (Parachutist) The kind of guy that will hold your hand when no one else is there. He'll clean up the bedpan when there is no nurse, and he's always got an optimistic way to see the worst things. JP Furnari (DiabloPilot) Yeah, he's kind of an asshole, but he calls it like he sees it and safety is his first concern. The strength he's exhibited in calling people out for unsafe behavior both on and offline has forever changed how I handle these situations Michael J. Owens (Sparky) His advice influenced several canopy purchases in my early years, his "fatherly" advice and his "take no prisoners" attitude have helped me learn at an accelerated pace. Putting someone else' survival ahead of his own... Loyalty to a friend and his unwavering willingness to be whereever or whatever he needs to be to fix a problem are inspirational on many levels. Everyone of us could draw a lesson or two from Sparky. Looking forward to seeing him at Perris or s'nore again to share a beer. Norman Kent (NormanKent) A monster photograper, he's always willing to share his time and explain his talents. He's creative, and has pushed the sport into new directions, and gotten the sport a lot of attention it wouldn't have otherwise received. Finally, most of you guys will never have heard of Mannie Frances, I don't know his DZ.com handle (but he does have one), but he's brought a lot of attention to this sport in the broadcast and tradeshow world. A number of photographers work would never have been seen in large venus had it not been for Mannie. There are more...I'd easily add John/Valinda Mitchell to my list, Jack Guthrie, Debbie Zimmerman, Sean Horton, Craig Girrard, Jay Stokes, Millertime24, Granny in the Sky/Pat, Les Stachrya...all because of their unwavering desire to teach, learn (or both), and their passion for the sport. Add to that their dynamic and wonderful personalities, and it's all of a sudden a huge challenge to stop adding names. So, I'll just say I'm grateful to those that have helped me grow and learn in this sport whether I was their instructor or student. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatmiser 0 #16 July 22, 2009 Funny DSE is the last post, I'd say DSE. To have such a positive attitude after, (and still ongoing, for that matter) all the pain he's been through since he got hurt has been a great inspiration. His music isn't bad either What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdgirl 0 #17 July 22, 2009 If I was to choose one person who I’ve ‘met’ through dz.com who has inspired me to be better in things I do professionally, I’d say it was Keith [BIGUN]. /Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #18 July 22, 2009 Aww, thanks Douglas, you're sweet. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #19 July 23, 2009 There is no "right" answer to this question. But an interesting thought. I think that I am most inspired by the "normal" ones out there. Those that give to others in the community - whether it's cleaning a friends toilet or donating time and money for a charitable cause (AIDS walk, Wigs on Fire, Leap for Lupus). The brave individuals that welcome strangers into their circle by the bonfire and into their lives. The spirits that dare to live instead of fear to die... and the spirits that have dared to die. And... just to add another +1 to Max... but I think that he's a "normal" one too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #20 July 23, 2009 Thank you so much, LuckyMcSwervy. I am so touched by your kind words. You're a love. To answer Deedy's question: I am consistently inspired by the JFTC organizers & participants, as well as the World Team organizers. That said, when I think about who I am greatly inspired by as a woman, two more DZ.commers come to my mind: Taz (Taya Weiss) Kbordson (Karen Bordson) Each one of these ladies is accomplished, yet has a heart of gold. They both seem to constantly be on a mission to better themselves and the world around them. They inspire me by how they live their lives, both in the little things that they do and in the far-reaching ways in which they impact the community and beyond. We could all use more Tayas and Karens in this world. ***He isn't around anymore, but I cannot help to think about Tonto, when I think about Taya. Eric was/is also a true inspiration. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #21 July 23, 2009 Oh, there you are, Karen. Btw, I wrote my answer before I saw your post. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #22 July 23, 2009 awwww... Thank you, kind Rosa! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #23 July 23, 2009 Quote Oh, there you are, Karen. Btw, I wrote my answer before I saw your post. Must be some sort of telepathy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #24 July 23, 2009 You're very welcome, dear Karen. Our friendship means a lot to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 569 #25 July 23, 2009 Quote Someone who you admire for things they do both online and off line. Tell why and post photos if you have them. Without doubt for me it was Tonto.Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites