To all the fine people of the sky HAPPY NEW YEAR, A TOAST!!!

[gravityizsexy 0]

As we bring in the new year, I would like to extend
my hand to all with the deepest sincerity to whom I
have had the pleasure to make successful jumps
with, even those that weren't so successful and
especially to those to whom I have yet to share the
sky with and to those whom have passed in the
wake so that I may continue to fly. We have all
been through alot in this last year and I know that
some of us are still having trouble walking with our chins up. Through the places we've visited,
relationships we've indulged, lessons we've learned,
and the losses we've inherited, the creator of the maginifience that we as a group know has saw fit for
us to purposfully march on. So march on we must.



As we march into the year of 2008, let us carry
with us everything between the laughter and tears
that '07 and the following years have given us to
acheieve the wonder in ourselves and who we are
today a collective force known a the USPA. To the
process that spawns raw and untapped creation when that green light flickers to the boundless expansion
of idea when the sun sets. God knows that I've tried
my hardest for the best possible outcome for me
and others in this sport. Since day 1 I've seen
nothing but blue, even when it was cloudy my head
was always "up in the clouds" as some best put it. I never really new how far I was going to go skydiving,
as for what was to ensue I was hardly prepared. I
was fairly warned, multiple times.. with the warnings
heeded I still marched on with every taste getting
sweeter and sweeter. As with life (because everyone
knows it goes hand-in-hand ith skydiving) I've done things and made choices that I am not proud of,
however unchecked, I remain remorseful not only for
myself but for others I dragged along with me. As I
grow older Im realizing certain things that
encompass my reality. IT'S THE FUCKING REAL
DEAL!!! as is yours and everybody elses. Don't worry, Im not going to lecture. I am a rated instructor now
with a much keener eye for detail than I previously
had. Still the same eyes, but different perception. I'm starting to see patterns, and Im see'ing true
and falses. In short, I am seeing life change right in
front of my eyes and am slowly comming to grips
with the fact that it's me who is changing it. Not just
me however, it's you too. It's influential change by
acts that aren't so random. Let's take hold of this
moment in the promise of a better future, but for
starters a better year. Let's MAKE it happen, we are
already at the forefront of possibility. Share your
abilities with each other, give and take from each
other, not just give and not just take. Be humane
people, if your going to gear-check somebody let him or her know what it is that your checking
whetheer your seasoned or supervised. Don't EVER
tell a newbie to "just jump it" no matter how it got
into the bag. If you deep down know something is wrong... it sure enough is, so fix it because nobody
else is going to. It's the little things that will bring us
to the next level not the big jump numbers. Should
auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to
mind? Remember all the memories and the fun
times we've had, there are so many people I want to
see and just kiss but Im not sure for many that it will happnen. So many have touched my heart and are in my prayers daily. It is through meeting
friends and people like you that I know that god
truly does exist.


I just want to thank each and every one in the
skydiving community for their bravery to explore
outside the box bringing innovation to a world that is
in desperate need of it.

HEADS HIGH!
CHINS UP!

This year is going to be GREAT!!!! I PROMISE!!!!

Betsey Barnhouse! You rock mwah socks!

"'Someday is not a day in my week'"

[RALFFERS 0]

Great post! Thank you

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of