curtismelaniej 0 #26 October 6, 2003 Yes, definitely. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #27 October 6, 2003 I was just thinking to myself on my way to work this morning how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. Every weekend, I drive to the dz Friday night for my family reunion and I don't leave until sundown on Sunday. I love and trust my dz family as much or more than my birth family. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Designer 0 #28 October 6, 2003 Were supposed to be?Some relationships get severely strained over the years and just "Can,t" be repaired.So,I go with the flow as usual. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #29 October 6, 2003 Yup, skydivers are my 'family' as in the brotherhood of policemen & such. AND I am trying to fill a void, since I don't like about 85% of my blood family. But in both places there are people I can't stand, ones I really really wish would find a lovely home on say Madigascar or a similar place far far away, others I love & would do anything for, those you tollerate, and others that are just there, being a normal human being. I love this sport & am so happy that a generally good group of people are in it. You can chose your friends but you can't chose your family. I was ment to skydive & am lucky that I would chose this family. I talk w/, visit & share more w/ my skydiving family than I do w/ even my own parents: things to do: fill void - done. 1 down, many more to go. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #30 October 6, 2003 You get to pick your friends, no choice on family. So the whole brotherhood thing is more poignant. However: Family - You have a common bond and you have to be with these people. You may not like them or you might, but you spend so much time with them that you "know" them so even if they are freaks, you still love them a little and feel responsible for each other. And those you really connect with, well those are the people you'd do most anything for. That sounds like skydiving and not like any other sport. In a small DZ, this is pretty common. The big DZs? I suspect it's diluted quite a bit. I'm originally from a very small DZ, so I have the 'family' thing with skydivers in spades. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #31 October 6, 2003 QuoteThat sounds like skydiving and not like any other sport. Hmm....when I took dance, I hung out with those girls just as much as I have hung out with skydivers. We all had a common bond, and I still hung out with a few of them 10 years after I quit dance. That bond was strong, and we were all there for each other. They were very good friends, but they were not family. Oh...and there were plenty of dancers I did not like! Why skydivers are not family: You will not have a skydiver that you've only talked to twice in your life put you in their will. The love amongst skydivers is not unconditional. Most of us did not grow up with skydivers. And my brain is slow today, so I can't really think of any more. Skydivers can be great friends. I've met so many wonderful people in this sport. Not calling them family doesn't taint that any.There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vonSanta 0 #32 October 6, 2003 Vallerina, I can assure you that the love between normal family members tend NOT to be unconditional either. Think of something absolutely totally horrible. Now have a family member do this to you repeatedly and with glee. Santa Von GrossenArsch I only come in one flavour ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #33 October 6, 2003 QuoteVallerina, I can assure you that the love between normal family members tend NOT to be unconditional either. Even if a family member did something that is despicable....something so bad where I couldn't even look at them ever again....I would still love them.There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casch 0 #34 October 6, 2003 Unfortuanately not all of us are blessed with strong family ties. And we have to look elsewhere Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #35 October 6, 2003 Right! And... sorry Vallerina, but I would not still love them. Put up w/ them, yes, love them no. It's the same situation for me w/ the skydivers I know. Granted, I know a lot fewer than you do... but so far - Since I only associate w/ my fam on a do this or we'll kill you threat from my parents - the dz is a great stand-in. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #36 October 6, 2003 Quotebut I would not still love them. Put up w/ them, yes, love them no. Haha! I'm the opposite! I wouldn't put up with them, but I would love them. I don't think it's too uncommon either. Prisoners who have committed heinous crimes still get visitors. Yeah, my one example for myself is my brother. I really can't think of anything that would make me stop loving him. He would never do anything wrong, but even if he did something horrible, he may not be at the top of my list of favorite people, but that wouldn't change that I love him.There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kansasskydiver 0 #37 October 6, 2003 always try to be, even to new students. inviting to the parties at my house etc<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #38 October 6, 2003 Looking at the postings, I'd say that just about anything Erica is writing is about identical for me. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vertifly 0 #39 October 6, 2003 Of course they are my family, I spend a hell of a lot more time at the DZ than with 99% of my relatives. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pds 0 #40 October 7, 2003 ummm.... like subatomic particles, phenomena like relationships are subtly but inavoidably altered by scrutiny. i choose to cherish the ephemeral bonds forged during and surrounding the act of jumping out of plane and spending the first 50 seconds of the last minute of your life (until you pull, thats the truth of the situation) fuckin around with your cohorts and saving the money shot for the LAST 10 seconds. talk about making the most of your time. lol. if upon reading this you come away with an implication of morbidity i respectfully submit that you missed my point. when i finally do attain perfection (the bookies say 2005 is a good bet) i will bump this thread with a better explanationnamaste, motherfucker. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
