Amanduh

That's the thing that is SCARY. There is NO solution to this. They had the chance to do that themselves when told to evacuate. I really hate to say this, but they had a chance to get out. They are even firing at the choppers who are trying to help them. Yeah..smart move..try to shoot down the chopper..smart. What I'm saying, is that the US is trying to do what they can to get them out. They, in return, are over taking the streets. An article today that I read stated: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/weather/090205_APkatrina_mayormad.html They are attacking the help. This is what brings me to my comment of survival of the fitest. We are trying to help, they are doing nothing but rebelling and fighting back. Let them stay if they would rather fire at the choppers or over run them when they try to land. Those that get out alive, get out. Agreed, and I understand it is not humanitarian. BUT, look over seas at the 3rd world contries that see this shit every single day. You do what you can, and the US is trying, but only SO MUCH can be done. The government is not some great magical act.

I as well have a heart and know that it's not fair these people are going through this. But that's why there was a MANDATORY EVACUATION.

The first thing I would like to see is a night time curfew set on everyone taking refuge in the AstroDome...BEFORE they are forced to put one on the entire city. Tell them: Anyone who wants back in the doors must be in by 8:00pm; at that time, the doors will be locked. Then, don't let them back out until 7:00am or something like that. If they keep wondering our streets like they are, Houston will have no choice but to put a city wide night-time curfew into affect....THESE are the types of things I see in our new future. That's what is worrying me.

Shit..I need inspired today. Check out my post in the speakers corner for more understanding.

I just have to get this off my chest. Houstonians are now starting to get a bit conscerned with the arrival of thousands of refugee's to our hometown. The majority of refugees being transported into our town should just be considered the "crime rate" of Lousiana. Houston already has enough of that to worry about. Those stuck in N.O. are more so the ones who could not afford to, didn't have the transportationg to, etc ...to get out when WARNED 2 days prior of what was heading their way. The lowest lying land in LA is NO, and also the cheapest to live. Not to mention they will now start transporting these refugees to Dallas as well as San Antonio. These are gang members, drug dealers, etc...I know this does not apply to ALL of the refugees, but after watching the news and just driving through Houston last night, you can see that the majority are up to no good. Even on the NorthWest side of town where I live, I saw a group at the mall right down the road. They were causing trouble with one of the cart shop workers! Then yelling "We are from New Orleans bitch!" Does this mean you can do whatever you want and get by with it!? My sister and her husband went to a game downtown last night and just riding the buses was the scariest thing they had been through. They are putting arm bands on the refugees and allowing them to come and go from the Astrodome as they please...so here they are wondering throughout Houston. I also heard that they are allowing them to commute on our buses for free since they do not have any money! What is next? I received an e-mail from a friend of mine whos husband is a police officer. Get this: The news is just not doing justice to what's really going on here...i'm telling you these things because we need to watch out and be careful of our surroundings...carry mace, carry pepper spray, carry a gun (legally!) These are a few things going on that I just found out *first off.. all inmates were also evacuated into the superdome, but in the mix of everything blended in with the crowds, so they too got evacuated to the astrodome (HERE IN HOUSTON, WHERE WE LIVE!!!) ~There are two reports of rapings last night as well. ~2 girls got raped in the astrodome last night ~There are people fighting in there over the better cots and positions ~The people who did not make it into the astrodome are hanging around outside and last night some of the girls were prostituting and some guys were picking up the prostitutes only to rob them. ~The southwest side of houston is a bad area to be at right now... The police in NO who are still looking for survivors in the debris are becoming sick so they are quitting now. The chief of police (Houston) is now on alert, and is having all the police start working 12 hour shifts just to maintain the problem but is worried of the possibility of a riot. I mean, what do these people have to lose? If they get arrested at least they will get 3 meals and a cot to sleep on. So to all of you be very careful! Now, with gas prices at an all time high, what do we do? Not to mention several places are now out of unleaded fuel not only in the Houston area, but I read in other posts, as far as North Carolina as well! Just because NO was dealt a bad hand does NOT mean that other cities should suffer in this way (crime). We are trying to HELP. In my eyes...do what you got to. Those 10s of thousands still in LA..what more can we do!? I'm sorry to say this..but this is when survival of the fitest should come into play. Welcome to hell on earth.

Attending: aggie04 AggieDave Amanduh bbskydiver Brains Brits17 Caseadilla chip daveb Dougie Fireflytx Flyin Bob FlyingFerret Flypunk gemini heidihagen hippydiver IMGR2 Jethers203 jumperconway kevlarsxs laceysocks Luminous LoudDan MFDammit Moonglo PLF Professor QTPi QueenBee RedAssSkyChic sharimcm sitflypat skip tspillers upndownshop voodew1 wmw999 youngin17 Zennie

Hmm..yeah..uhh..we might have to talk to Steve & Trent about that one!

hey girl..here is one of my favorite pictures out there (FF dock). It's of Anomaly (stolen from their website) Photo credit: Josh Hill

Yeah she is!!!!!! Oh..I mean..yes...you are both damn sexy!

I was wondering the same thing, Mar!!!

Agreed!!! Thanks, Nick! Amanda

I'll second that. I love your smile, Lee!!! Tooooo cute!!!!!

Chris..you should so get your butt down here for the AOT boogie. Oh..and I am jealous. I miss me some Kim!! (jeff isn't all that bad either I guess )

Curious as to how many drinks they fed you! sheeeessshhhhhhh LMFAO HAHAH!!! You are too cute, Chris! *Hugs*

Honestly,the only thing about BASE that scared me was how thick it ran through my veins after only 2 jumps. The addiction itself is what has made me step back and get more training before persuing it further. I love the sport. The jumps I made ..nothing went wrong..my mentors said I "nailed it"...dude...I still feel the jumps. I can't explain it. I just need to wait. You're right..my decision. But I have my head on straight and know what base can throw at you...I personally would rather give myself every advantage possible to hopefully make it out alive & in one piece..there's so much to learn. Knowledge never killed anyone..but the lack of surely has. I was being a bit dramatic describing a good '16 year old base student', but I think you know what I was getting at. One of the main things in my head is that her parents might not know exactly what she was getting into. That's why i had pointed that out to you earlier on in this forum, because I was looking ahead and trying to help keep an eye out for another. *you*

Let me try one last time. Skolls: Possibly...but not likely. To even consider this (IMHO), the 16 year old would more than likely have had to have grown up at the DZ with skydiving (even better if base jumping) parents, parents that actually understanding the risks of base, the child actually understanding the risks from being around even skydiving (which will usually bring in a tad of base knowledge - fatalities, etc)...wouldn't hurt to have some high platform diving swim team time...practiced the hell out of his / her canopy skills multiple times from altitude, and know how to become their own rigger and take that kind of responsibility into his / hers own hands. Now...find me a 16 year old child with those credentials (or even most) and I might think you have a point, nor do I think people on this board would reject so whole-heartily. Regardless of what this girl had in her mind, whether to impress others or to go after her own dream...is irrelevant to this ordeal (ALL IN MY OPINION). I remember reading somewhere in here that she SHOULD read the fatality database (not that she HAD). She has never been under a canopy until just recently (which probably wasn't long at all)...and I'm assuming since Jimmy never answered me to whether her parents were skydivers or base jumpers, that they aren't, and are not grasping at the time exactly what it is their daughter is doing. Not to mention going off a tower with no previous canopy time. She has no insight into the exact world she is bringing herself into, nor do her parents. That is what could back fire in the long run on Jimmy, IF (not saying something would) something should happen to Claire under his mentorship. Dont be so quick to judge. Amanda *Edited for spelling

Do you really think that the parents are putting their kids on these 30 foot jumps without any prior training? Don't you think they have been learning all along and working up to that point? This is putting a 16 year old girl off of an ANTENNA. Not a BRIDGE or something more forgiving. In skydiving, our instructors don't just push us out of the plane and say "GOOD LUCK!" don't forget to use your 'seatbelts'! This is an entirely different situation, and until you find yourself faced with the risks BASE jumping WILL throw at you, you have no idea how to relate.

Agreed. Yoshi, there is something that is always burning in your eyes when you land off of an amazing jump, pull off a badass ghost-rider, or a kick ass prank! ....or even some badass freestyle CRW! Don't just throw in the towel and sell your gear just yet.. As others have said..take a year or two away from it and see if it draws you back in. But...whatever you decide to do...do it for your own true happiness. I'm sorry you have had such a rough time lately. Regardless of what you decide....keep in touch, bro. *Hugs* Amanda ~In case you do decide to leave the sport for good...I just have to say Thank you. Some of my most memorable jumps were with you, and I will forever be greatful!

STRIKE A POSE, CHRIS!! BWAHHAHAHAA!!

Hmm...her name? aw crap, I knew I was forgetting something!!!!

And since I posted the not so uhh...uhh..."model shots" of others...i have to include the one of brit and I (sorry girl) yeah...i have no clue what was going on at this moment in time so don't even ask.

I've already put about 20 jumps on her...luckily she has stayed clean so far I just hadn't been able to take any pics Gosh she is soooo comfy. A custom rig surely makes a huge difference!