Question:

How suitable for watering orchids is water from a "Brita" (or other brand) jug? The filter is supposed to remove chlorine, lead and some particulates, which sounds good, but does it remove also some trace elements that would be favorable for orchids? — Colette Tremblay Quebec Canada zone 4b

Response:

Jeanette, Your water. It depends on how desperate you are for it. Contamination can come in your rain water, tap water, whatever. I would not worry about your dehumidifier water. Bugs, forget them. Just boil the water and that’s the end of the vast majority. pH ?. easy to check, I’m sure a local friendly Chemist could help.

You can purchase a PH test kit at any pet store or store that sells tropical fish . They are used to test the PH of the aqarium water and are very inexpensive. I have used them for years. I also use white vinegar to adjust the PH as in the California bay area the PH will go as high as 9 . I would rather keep it around 7.0 or slightly lower on luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Disolved salts ?. a ppm or micro siemens meter, again borrowed from a friend, local lab or Orchid society would put you straight on that one. Chris. MD. UK.

Response:

In article I guess I didn’t phrase my question very well when I asked if it was alright to use water from a dehumidifier on orchids as only one person very kindly answered.  I know it looks like pure water but does passing through coils in the machine add any impurities that would be bad for orchids?  I’m not stupid just careful. Jeannette

The water that condensates on the coils comes from the air which contains airborne spores and bacterias and others impurities.That water should be thrown away. Ed Cormier

Response:

I guess I didn’t phrase my question very well when I asked if it was alright to use water from a dehumidifier on orchids as only one person very kindly answered.  I know it looks like pure water but does passing through coils in the machine add any impurities that would be bad for orchids?  I’m not stupid just careful.

If the duhumidifier is in the same environment as your orchids, it’s hard to imagine that it would introduce additional impurities. My concern would be that there are too few minerals in the water. I’d use a fertilizer that has minerals or add Superthrive. ….BILL Bill DeLong Nicholasville, KY  USA

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What Bob says is good advice; however, I just paid for a service call to have the man clean out the pipe that drains the condensate from my air conditioning system.  The drain pipe had built up enough algae to constrict the flow.  //Cut here//

  This can also be accomplished at practically no cost by putting a vacuum on *blow*, disconnecting the drain at the condenser, and blowing out the line.  Works fine in my house.   Also, I am a smoker so I wonder about the impurities that may be building up on the condenser coils.  (Some believe that smoking around the orchids will do harm to them, e.g., virus, etc   //cut here//

I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s common knowledge that virus carries in smoke. Not to mention what it’s doing to you *grin*  (Nothing worse than an ex-smoker, you know; I quit 5 years ago.  Too hardheaded to quit sooner, and too hooked, too). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Orchids RULE!

Response:

Jeanette, Your water. It depends on how desperate you are for it. Contamination can come in your rain water, tap water, whatever. I would not worry about your dehumidifier water. Bugs, forget them. Just boil the water and that’s the end of the vast majority. pH ?. easy to check, I’m sure a local friendly Chemist could help. Disolved salts ?. a ppm or micro siemens meter, again borrowed from a friend, local lab or Orchid society would put you straight on that one. Chris. MD. UK.

Response:

Hi to all those very kind people who replied to my question.  Thanks very much allof you who gave me the sort of answers I was looking for.  My faith in this newsgroup is restored.  Thanks again.  Jeannette. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jeanette, Your water. It depends on how desperate you are for it. Contamination can come in your rain water, tap water, whatever. I would not worry about your dehumidifier water. Bugs, forget them. Just boil the water and that’s the end of the vast majority. pH ?. easy to check, I’m sure a local friendly Chemist could help. Disolved salts ?. a ppm or micro siemens meter, again borrowed from a friend, local lab or Orchid society would put you straight on that one. Chris. MD. UK.

Response:

I guess I didn’t phrase my question very well when I asked if it was alright to use water from a dehumidifier on orchids as only one person very kindly answered.  I know it looks like pure water but does passing through coils in the machine add any impurities that would be bad for orchids?  I’m not stupid just careful. Jeannette

Jeannette I don’t think I would use the water.  I had a humidifier once when I live in Chicago. I would be concern about fungi and bacterial problems.  I use to have to clean mine alot, so I think I’d pass. Also make sure to keep the filters clean. If you decide to use the water.  Why don’t you have the water tested and see what the results are. Archie   — Archie Green, Wacahoota Orchids  See our Web Listing at http://www.wacahoota.com

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Jeanette, I suspect the lack of response was from lack of knowledge, not interest. Condensed humidity will be as pure as the air where it comes from.  When = I was in colege, I had a summer job at a Volvo dealership in DC, and we = "discovered" that water droplets condensing on the new cars (dew) was = acid enough to bleach the yellow pigment they introduced that year.  It = led to white rings on the yellow cars, and blue rings on the green cars. I live well outside of the city now, where the air is wonderful, but I’m = not sure I’d risk it here. –=20 Ray Barkalow – First Rays Orchids On-line list and order form: http://www.voicenet.com/~raybark

Response:

What Bob says is good advice; however, I just paid for a service call to have the man clean out the pipe that drains the condensate from my air conditioning system.  The drain pipe had built up enough algae to constrict the flow.  Also, I am a smoker so I wonder about the impurities that may be building up on the condenser coils.  (Some believe that smoking around the orchids will do harm to them, e.g., virus, etc. Orchids RULE!

Response:

In article I guess I didn’t phrase my question very well when I asked if it was alright to use water from a dehumidifier on orchids as only one person very kindly answered.  I know it looks like pure water but does passing through coils in the machine add any impurities that would be bad for orchids?  I’m not stupid just careful. Jeannette

Are the coils copper?  If so, I’d be very leery about using the water on your plants. Nick Nicholas Plummer http://www-personal.umich.edu/~nplummer/homepage.html

Response:

I guess I didn’t phrase my question very well when I asked if it was alright to use water from a dehumidifier on orchids as only one person very kindly answered.  I know it looks like pure water but does passing through coils in the machine add any impurities that would be bad for orchids?  I’m not stupid just careful. Jeannette

Response:

I guess I didn’t phrase my question very well when I asked if it was alright to use water from a dehumidifier on orchids as only one person very kindly answered.  I know it looks like pure water but does passing through coils in the machine add any impurities that would be bad for orchids?  I’m not stupid just careful.

        It doesn’t pass through the coils, it passes over them.  Inside the coils is the refrigerant.  Dehumidifiers work by the same principle that makes water form on the outside of a cold glass.  You probably already know this.  So, cold refrigerant makes coils cold which makes surrounding air cold enough to drop its water.  This is pure water, and, in fact, is equivalent to distilled water.  It is distilled water, just distilled at a lower temperature.  Actually, there probably is a little tubing for the moisture to drain out, but that is separate from the cooling coils.         If you are worried about impurities, wash the cooling coils (or fins, or whatever is inside your machine).  There is probably a section on doing this in your owner’s manual.  About the only thing that you would get is dust, and your orchids get dusty anyway…  There also exists the possibility that mold or mildew will grow inside your dehumidifier.  Regular cleaning, as specified in the manual, will eliminate this.  Mold or mildew will probably only grow if the thing is turned off, not much grows at low temperatures (at least it doesn’t grow fast), and if the machine is running it will be pretty chilly around the condenser.         In short, I wouldn’t worry about it if you properly maintain the device.  I know at least one person who humidifies his growing area in his basement, has a dehumidifier outside the growing area to make the wife happy, and uses the water that collects to water his plants.  Recycling at its best! Rob  Rob’s rules to live by:                        | Send me seeds!   (1) There is always room for one more orchid. |   (2) There is no rule 2.                       | Future starving PhD.    (2a) When one has insufficient credit to buy |                                                   |  Rob has a homepage (ooh, high tech!):  http://pubweb.acns.nwu.edu/~rhalgren          

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Question:

Heya!  Thought I’d de-lurk for a bit to relate the story of my brand-new nip piercings!  I’m still on a rush from the experience!   I got ‘em done at Body Accents here in Indianapolis earlier today.  I decided to get both done, rather than one, since the healing time is so long.  Also, having one would leave me a-symmetrical.  BTW, I highly recommend Body Accents- they run a very clean shop; I got my tounge done there a few months ago.  But I digress.  Seems navel piercing are all the rage, ’cause the 3 people ahead of me getting ‘em done, and the guy after was also.   I fill out the concent form, choose my hardware (dual blue anodized niobium CBRs, 12 ga., 3/4").  He calls my name, I remove my shirt, and then get marked.  I lie down on the table, while he prepares the impliments of my piercing.  First comes the calmp, which didn’t seem to pinch too bad.  He then tells me to do the breathing bit, and on the 2nd breath, pushes the needle through.  *ouch!*  That hurts like hellfire! I wasn’t ready for that kind of pain!  After a few seconds of excrusiating pain, the hardware’s in, and it stops hurting.  I take it my yelp of pain was heard out in the waiting area, ’cause I hear them laughing at my expense.  He wheels the try to the other side of the table, and pierces my other one.  *OUCH!*  that one hurts even more!  Like the previous one, the pain subsided rather quickly.  I take a gander in the mirror and I’m certainly impressed!  I can’t wait until it heals before the fun begins!   These certainly hurt a hellavalot more than my tounge, but the end result is well worth it… I like to look of my new blue rings with the little shiny-black balls!   I really wanted a labret stud or fishtail, but work said that I couldn’t get another ‘visible body pierce’.  They (my boss and his wife, the secretary (small co., a ‘mom-n-pop’ setup)) said:  ’We saw this [body piercing] when we were in London 5 years ago.  We didn’t like it then.’ Dunno what the deal w/ London is.  Anyone care to enlighten me?  I assume they were talking about gay Londoners, dunno.  (Why they can’t detect that I’m gay, I don’t know.  THe UPS delivery man certainly can! Anyways, now for a quick question.  For my next pierce, I was thinking about getting a Prince Albert or navel, but I was leaning towards the PA.  My question is do I need to remove the CBR (or other hardware) during intercourse, or can I just leave it on?  (Using condoms, of course).  I’d assume one would have to remove it if it were a larger gage, say, #6 or larger.  I was thinking about a #10, myself; prolly a SSS CBR or niobium CBR.  Thanks in advance for any answers.   — | _ _  ___  _  _  _   _  _           B5(6) t w g+ s– r-    | |  __   __    __    _   ___   &h48,&h65,&h6C,&h6C,&h6F,&h21 | |     "It’s 5:50 AM.  Do you know        /__Can *YOU* write 8085__/ | |     where your stack pointer is?"        /      assembly?     /   |

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Anyways, now for a quick question.  For my next pierce, I was thinking about getting a Prince Albert or navel, but I was leaning towards the PA.  My question is do I need to remove the CBR (or other hardware) during intercourse, or can I just leave it on?  (Using condoms, of course).  I’d assume one would have to remove it if it were a larger gage, say, #6 or larger.  I was thinking about a #10, myself; prolly a SSS CBR or niobium CBR.  Thanks in advance for any answers.  

1. Navel piercings can be an absolute _bitch_ to heal. 2. My PA is the one pierce that I truly regret getting. It is completely non-erotic and uncomfortable during sex. I never wear the jewelry anymore, yet I get to pee out of two holes for the rest of my life. —

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| 2. My PA is the one pierce that I truly regret getting. It is | completely non-erotic and uncomfortable during sex. I never wear | the jewelry anymore, yet I get to pee out of two holes for the | rest of my life. This is definitely not my experience. I found the PA increased sensations — hard-ons and orgasm definitely feel much more intense. I recently got the hang of peeing standing up without dribbling too! — Toll the bell, pay the private eye, all’s well, 20th century dies – Bowie                       http://www.ocsltd.com/sean

Response:

Heya!  Thought I’d de-lurk for a bit to relate the story of my brand-new nip piercings!  I’m still on a rush from the experience!  

[mondo snippage]    Much love on out to our newest online bro, Kevin. And good choice on Body Accents. That’s where your favorite pirate got his nip pierced. Welcome aboard. — "Pirate Nick" Baban * "Yes I am a pirate, 200 years too late. The Writer, RABbit,     *  plunder…" – Jimmy Buffett caffeine addict     *      "The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to     fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer

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2. My PA is the one pierce that I truly regret getting. It is completely non-erotic and uncomfortable during sex. I never wear the jewelry anymore, yet I get to pee out of two holes for the rest of my life.

That’s too bad.  I’ve always thought that it replaces the sensitivity that was lost when I had a circumcision nearly fourty years ago. Clearly I have only myself to blame for having had that operation.  I just didn’t cry loud enough in protest. One sex partner had me remove the ring before sex, so I replaced it the next morning without much trouble. Another partner told me the rings (I chained another ring to my PA and forgot about it) increased her pleasure. So there you have it – another positive testimonial to our hero the prince.

Response:

| 2. My PA is the one pierce that I truly regret getting. It is | completely non-erotic and uncomfortable during sex.

[snip] This is definitely not my experience. I found the PA increased sensations — hard-ons and orgasm definitely feel much more intense.

I have to agree with Sean, though I’ve had my PA for so many years that I need sometimes to switch around my jewellery just to remind myself of the benefits. John says his PA is uncomfortable during sex, it sounds to me as though his PA could have been placed incorrectly, possibly providing too much stimulation to his frenum (if he is uncut). Just my two pence worth. Joe T.

Response:

John says his PA is uncomfortable during sex, it sounds to me as though his PA could have been placed incorrectly, possibly providing too much stimulation to his frenum (if he is uncut).

I am tightly circ’d, so there isn’t really any frenulum left. The pierce, performed at Venus Modern Bodyart, was placed right through the middle where the frenulum used to be, not to one side or the other. —

Response:

(snip,snip) I recently got the hang of peeing standing up without dribbling too!

Well now there’s a trick I’d like to be able to perform! I am sick of trying to find a clean toilet seat in public toilets and apart from using a funnel I cannot find any way of peeing standing up. On balancing Pro’s and Con’s I think P.A.’s are only marginally worthwhile. So how do you do it Sean? Steve                              +==+ "I think I think, therefore perhaps I am" +==+                            A postmodernist Descartes —-                                                       Marlene Goldsmith M.L.C.

Response:

I have previously written: John says his PA is uncomfortable during sex, it sounds to me as though his PA could have been placed incorrectly, possibly providing too much stimulation to his frenum (if he is uncut).

I am tightly circ’d, so there isn’t really any frenulum left. The pierce, performed at Venus Modern Bodyart, was placed right through the middle where the frenulum used to be, not to one side or the other.

Hmmm! Guess I then have no idea why you found your PA to be so uncomfortable during sex – did you try changing the jewellery size and or type? Or could it be that what you define as uncomfortable the rest of us think of as pleasure?   :^) Joe T. Roy Summers Studios East Dereham, Norfolk, U.K.

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Question:

I’ve read the faq, I’ve read the group, now as I bravely venture off to get my nips done I hit snags.  Plural. I’d LIKE pretty blue or purple, not boring dull old stainless. Mad Jack’s does not DO niobium.  At all. another place in the boonies burbs DOES, BUT…    they insist that nips work best with a ring, not barbells. From what I’ve read, this is baloney.  I DID self-pierce them years ago, and had rings I put in, and a year later they were not *yet* healed. Should I get the boring stainless barbells? Should I get blue rings (assuming my body can handle niobium)? Should I *insist* on niobium barbells, and skip the whole goddam thing if nobody will do as I wish? It’s abt 3PM local, my appointment with Mad Jack’s is at 3:30PM Sat 4-20-96.  I’d appreciate replies before then, email at Thanks. Jeannette — Oh I wake in the morning and I step outside,          Jeannette Wilson take a deep breath and I get real high,                    Out & Proud then I scream from the top of my lungs     Lesbian, Polyamorous, Pagan

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Should I *insist* on niobium barbells, and skip the whole goddam thing if nobody will do as I wish?

Pier Zambrano at Medusa’s Circle (3269 N Clark, 312-935-5950) will do niobium bars.  Or at least i know he’ll do bars with nipples cuz i also have an appt apr20 .  i asked on the fone if he’d do bars and he said they’d be no prob.  he carries niobium so i’m sure u’ll be able to find what u need. there tends to be mixed thoughts as to barbell vs ring.  i’m going with a bar cuz it’d seem a bar wouldn’t move around too much or snag on clothes.  ppl have told me to get a bar about 1/8" longer than the pierce length to facilitate cleaning (i think that’s also what the faq sez). — Consciousness: that annoying time between naps.

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[chop] : Mad Jack’s does not DO niobium.  At all. : another place in the boonies burbs DOES, BUT… :    they insist that nips work best with a ring, not barbells. : From what I’ve read, this is baloney.  I DID self-pierce them years : ago, and had rings I put in, and a year later they were not *yet* : healed. : Should I get the boring stainless barbells? [chop] I’d start with the boring stainless barbells, then switch to something less boring later.   I go nude around the house a lot, and I’ve noticed that a ring, especially a fairly small gage with a fairly heavy bead, will want to twist in the piercing as I lean forward, because the bead is always trying to hang down.  This seems to be a source of irritation, which to me is an argument for a barbell, at least until things stabilize and maybe toughen up a little. —                                 — Tom                                 http://www.well.com/user/bubbles/

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Question:

Can anyone direct me to a good explanation of the differences between the various classes of airspace? I want to be able to read sectional charts, and I would like to know what the various classes mean and why/how they are used. And what the heck is Mode C? Maybe there is a FAQ online somewhere which would have a nice introduction to this stuff. I am sure I could get a copy of FAA regulations which would give me an excruciatingly bureaucratic mass of legalese to burrow through, but a straightforward discussion/explication would be more likely to stick in my head. Thanks!

Response:

Try getting a copy of the 1995 FAR/AIM at your local FBO.  The AIM portion gives a good explanation of each of the airspace classes and the required equipment, such as a mode-C transponder, which may be required for each. Mode-C refers to a radar transponder with altitude-encoding capability and allows controllers to see your airplane with a specific identifying code and to see the altitude at which you’re flying.  It’s generally required for operations in class A, B, and C airspace and within the mode C ‘veil’ of a class B area unless you receive prior permission to enter the area without it. Again, check the FAR/AIM for a thorough explanation.  The FAR portion is helpfull if you can understand it, but the AIM is much more informative in my opinion.  Like I was once told, the FAR’s were written by lawyers for pilots, while the AIM was written by pilots for pilots. Jay

Response:

Can anyone direct me to a good explanation of the differences between the various classes of airspace? I want to be able to read sectional charts, and I would like to know what the various classes mean and why/how they are used. And what the heck is Mode C? Maybe there is a FAQ online somewhere which would have a nice introduction to this stuff. I am sure I could get a copy of FAA regulations which would give me an excruciatingly bureaucratic mass of legalese to burrow through, but a straightforward discussion/explication would be more likely to stick in my head. Thanks!

First the easy question…   Mode C refers to the type of transponder that is in the aircraft.  A transponder increases the radar signal so the plane can be picked up on radar at an air traffic control center.  The mode C means the transponder also automatically sends the aircrafts alt. so air traffic now knows were you are and how high you are with out needing to make radio contact.  You will need a Mode C transponder in class A, B, and C air spaces. Now the airs space question.  ***THIS IS FROM MEMORY AND COULD BE WRONG***. Class A.  18000 feet and above the 48 states and AL.  IFR flight plan (instrument flight only) and need an Mode C transponder and radio (you will never make it that high in an ultralight) Class B.  Airspace around major airports.  Need Mode C transponser if with in 30 miles,  need radio,  must be a PRIVITE pilot or greater,  extends up from the ground around the airport to 6000 to 8000 feet above ground (unless noted on the sectional.  you can fly under the 30 mile ring if you stay below 1200 feet.  You must stay out of the inter rings….. Class C. Airspace around airports that have radar.  need Mode C transponder and radio  extends up from ground around the airport (10 miles out) up to *i think* 3000 feet above the ground (unless noted on the sectional).  You can fly under the outer ring (10 to 20 miles out from the airport) lf you stay under 1200 feet above the ground). You must have Clearence from the tower to fly into the airspace. Class D. airspace around airports that do not have radar.  Need an radio.   Extends from the ground up to 3000 feet and extends out for 5 miles.  If you have a radio and have made contact with the tower you can enter the airspace. Class E. airspace is around airports with no tower.  You don’t even need a radio here.  Extends from ground up to 2000 feet out for 5 miles.  This also includes vector airways in the ski. Class G. is uncontrolled airspace which is from the ground up to 1200 feet execpt around airports, and all space left over. This is the general idea of the airspaces and the number could be off a little (doing it from memory).  If anything is wrong in this ***PLEASE*** no flames just post the corrections.

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Can anyone direct me to a good explanation of the differences between the various classes of airspace?

Get an A.I.M., Airmens Information Manual. You can buy one at just about any F.B.O. (that is Flight Base Operator) or flight school. I think the AIM maybe on line at the FAA, I don’t remember for certain. Class A is all space (U.S.A.) above 18000 ft. Class B is what used to be Terminal Control Areas or TCAs. It is an upside down layer cake-like volume of airspace over & around large city airports. Class C is over airports with control towers. The remaining classes go down in priorty from there.  And what the heck is Mode C? Mode C is altitude reporting on a plane’s radar transponder, ie., it tells the controller your hieght. AK

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I’m a private pilot with 120 hours.  I have a couple minutes to give you a brief response. Mode C   is a type of transponder that encodes your altitude onto the radar.  When an air traffic controller looks at the radar screen he/she sees your altitude right next to your transponder identification code. Class B airspace is only around the big airports (Boston, Chicago, etc.).  On a sectional map it appears as several concentric blue rings, centered on the airport.  In space it is shaped like an upside down wedding cake of controlled air-space.  This allows the controllers to seperate aircraft, especially for the big boys, at higher altitudes the farther out one is.  In other words, in a small plane you can fly closer to the airport, outside their space, if you stay at progressively lower altitudes.  The inner circle gives them control down to the ground out to 10 miles.  The second ring extends to 20 miles but only covers from 4000, say, to 7000 feet.  The outer ring is 30 miles in diameter and covers from 7000 feet to 18,000 feet.                                 To get into a Class B you must have 2 way communications, and Mode C, and speceific clearance from a controller to enter, which usually means you need a really good reason to be there unless it’s off-hours, whenever that is. Class C  airspace is controlled space (magenta ring or rings) around some other well traveled airports.  It also gives controllers control of space far enough out (10 miles) to properly sequence and seperate traffic.  Two way communications, Mode C transponder, and established communications (this means they say your aircraft N number) get you in. Class D    usually 5 miles diameter around an airport with a control tower, and only up to about 2500 feet agl (above ground level).  It is shown as a dashed blue ring.  I believe Mode C is not always required but some airport areas do.  Two way communications is required equipment and you must establish contact prior to entering the airspace.  One can, however, get special permission to enter by phoning the controllers in advance if you have no radios.         I don’t have time right now to confirm all the details with the regulations (FAR Part 91).  You should be aware that each type of airspace also has their own weather minimum requirements (cloud ceiling height and visibility) and other considerations.  Don’t go into those areas unless you know you comply with the FAA requirements.  If you don’t like reading the FAR’s then borrow or buy a new private pilot ground school book.  I say new because they just modified the airspace system about 2 years ago.

Response:

Can anyone direct me to a good explanation of the differences between the various classes of airspace? Get an A.I.M., Airmens Information Manual. You can buy one at just about any F.B.O. (that is Flight Base Operator) or flight school. I think the AIM maybe on line at the FAA, I don’t remember for certain. Class A is all space (U.S.A.) above 18000 ft. Class B is what used to be Terminal Control Areas or TCAs. It is an upside down layer cake-like volume of airspace over & around large city airports. Class C is over airports with control towers. The remaining classes go down in priorty from there. AK

Well, not quite. Class ‘D’ is what you find around an airport with an OPERATING control tower. This used to be known as Airport Traffic Area. Class ‘C’ is what was known as an ARSA. — | PP-SEL, USUA BFI #A016560, CAPT CAP                                |

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Well, not quite. Class ‘D’ is what you find around an airport with an OPERATING control tower. This used to be known as Airport Traffic Area. Class ‘C’ is what was known as an ARSA.

Oops! I knew that. AK

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Question:

: I did wear underwear, however, when I went to get my Clitoral Hood : piercing in D.C. – Logger is great, by the way!  I was wearing : a short Dress.  I nneded something to hold a slim sanitary : pad in place, because of the bleeding of the piercing.  It did : bleed, for about 12 hours off and on. Mine, done around the same time as yours, wasn’t bleeding at all. : My other labial piercing did not : bleed quite so much. There were just a few drops during the piercing of the left one. : I don’t even own a pair of jeans, but I do wear tights, in : a larger than needed size. I wear jeans very often, almost every day during winter, but the times of tight jeans are definitely gone since I got my labia rings. There was no problem with just a QK. Before being pierced, my inner labia used to be covered by my outer labia, this is no longer possible and they sometimes hurt when I wear clothes, can’t go to work naked . I suppose because they get too dry. Anybody with similar experiences? Will I probably get adjusted to it, so it won’t hurt anymore? Is there anything I can do, despite exchanging the rings with very short barbells? : I had my 2 labia piercings done one at a time.  I jingle : when I walk!  Giggle! Both my SO’s did one labia piercing. Two men, two rings Aaah, that wonderful jingling Next week I’ll go to a gynaecologist *evil grin* Three blue rings and even blue pubic hair…. Excuse my probably strange english *8-) Marsi — Claudia Hoffert                                                    /((*)) IRC:   Marsi                                                _(/_  /    /

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I never wear underwear, except when I’m coordinating a sexy lingerie epic… I did wear underwear, however, when I went to get my Clitoral Hood piercing in D.C. – Logger is great, by the way!  I was wearing a short Dress.  I nneded something to hold a slim sanitary pad in place, because of the bleeding of the piercing.  It did bleed, for about 12 hours off and on.  Beyond that, I haven’t regularly worn underwear, except for a bleeding outer labial piercing, which would stick to my inner thigh with dried blood.  My other labial piercing did not bleed quite so much. I don’t even own a pair of jeans, but I do wear tights, in a larger than needed size.  The tights have been no problem for the piercings – a larger size is easier to adjust to give the piercings room.  I wore underwear with my riding breeches, however, to provide a flatter surface for my rings.  The breeches are a little crotch-binding. Are you sure you want your clitoris pierced, or do you mean your clitoral hood?  Very few piercers will pierce the clitoris. if you plan to get both a hood piercing and a labia piercing, be sure (or the piercer should be sure) to space the piercings so that the hood ring will not be constantly rubbing and hitting the labia piercing.  The hood piercing should be done first, so that the labia piercing can be spaced accordingly, and that the piercer is not putting pressure on the labia piercing while piercing the hood, if both piercings are done in the same session. I had my 2 labia piercings done one at a time.  I jingle when I walk!  Giggle! Ardvark Rings, RINGS, AND MORE RINGS !!!! —

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I never wear underwear, except when I’m coordinating a sexy lingerie epic…

I used to not wear any either, until…         …I was wearing a backless sundress with lots of gathers (not quite as much, but somehwere along the lines of Marilyn Monroe standing on the train grating). I was walking across the pedestrian crosswalk on Kalakaua Avenue (for those of you who’ve been to Waikiki, this is THE main street  there) when a gust of wind blew up the back of my dress, and I mooned all the traffic stopped for the red light! Needless to say, my face was redder than the red light, and I have since decided to wear underwear. My friend almost got run over by a car because he was practically rolling on the ground laughing. — UH School of Library & Info Studies. "Whatever the cost of our   o|<0_0——* libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant      =^-| |_| | nation." -Walter Cronkite         [r.a.b. FAQer: "Think Ink!"]         _} _}

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I’m a 26 year old (young?) woman who intend to get a piercing in either a vaginal lip or through the clitoris — I haven’t decided yet. Whichever I choose, I guess I’ll be quite sensitive in that area for a while. So, what can/should I wear after I’ve gotten the piercing? I generally wear tights or skirts and sometimes jeans. I’m not into wearing pantyhose but prefer thigh-high stockings or stockings and a garter belt when I need to cover my legs. I’m also not into wearing panties. Which would be the most comfortable? Wearing skirts, thights or jeans? With or without underwear (I may if I have to but preferrably not)? Thanks. Due to the double-blind, any mail replies to this message will be anonymized, and an anonymous id will be allocated automatically. You have been warned.

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A little over three monthes ago, my boyfriend and I got our nipples pierced– quite an experience.  My main reason for doing it was largely aesthetic. I love how they look. I’m also discovering that I like how they feel.. mostly. Some of the time they hurt more than I’d like (like when I roll over in the middle of the night and they wake me up). But most of the time they’re great. Anyway, this past weekend Erik got a prince albert, and I have to admit that I’m a little envious.  So… despite the fact that I swore up and down that my ears and my nipples were all that I was going to perforate, I’m now thinking of having one of my inner labial lips pierced. (I would do the pair, but one hangs significantly lower than the other, and I think that just piercing one would look great, ’sides which, I might just want to save the other for later). Unfortunately, women lack the boon that men hove of bing able to gaze at their genetalia (sp?] without using a mirror and getting an awful crick in the neck. So, personal aesthetic enjoyment will not be the primary motivator here. What I would like to know is… does a labial piercing, to anyone’s knowledge, enhance sexual pleasure? I have heard that it is a super easy piercing, is this true? What sort of jewelry does it usually require? I would really appreciate it if someone would post or mail me their responses to these questions, along with whatever other subjective information they have (the FAQ covers it all rather objectively, and I’d like to know what people’s personal experiences have been). Thanks, and I’m sorry I was so long-winded. — Liz Rover           "Le coeur a des raisons que la raison ne connait pas"

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(warning: shameless flirting follows! ) A little over three months ago, my boyfriend and I got our nipples pierced– quite an experience.

Hi honey! Yes, it was quite an experience — one I’ll never forget… My main reason for doing it was largely aesthetic. I love how they look.

Me too! The beautiful blue rings accentuate your nipples *so* well… I’m also discovering that I like how they feel.. mostly. Some of the time they hurt more than I’d like (like when I roll over in the middle of the night and they wake me up). But most of the time they’re great.

Yes, but they *are* improving. And they’ll be fine eventually. And I have to admit, I *love* the feel of them between my teeth! Anyway, this past weekend Erik got a prince albert, and I have to admit that I’m a little envious.

Heh… Yep — I did indeed! Went down to Gauntlet NYC at 6pm on Saturday (nervous as all hell!), and did it! Liz had given me a *beautiful* gold ring as a present last month, so we just went right in and, next thing I knew, I had a ring dangling from my penis! I couldn’t believe it — almost no paid at all! It was maybe 1/4 – 1/2 the paid of the nipples, and was SO fast! It’s bled a bit, but has pretty much stopped (today is Tuesday, and there’s only an occasional drop of dried blood). Peeing stung for the first day or so, but has almost entirely gone away. (the sting, not the pee! ) So… despite the fact that I swore up and down that my ears and my nipples were all that I was going to perforate, I’m now thinking of having one of my inner labial lips pierced.

Liz was really cute… For the last month or so, as I was deciding to get my PA, she was adamant about not wanting another pierce, and even a bit unsure as to *my* getting one. Well, what a difference now! On the subway back from Gauntlet to her apartment, she started talking about maybe getting one herself (er, a genital piercing, not a PA!)! I smiled to myself, saying that I knew this would happen! Well, Lizzie, I know this didn’t answer your question (I hope some of the net.goddesses can give her some nice positive feedback on that end!), but hey — what are friends (and lovers, and fuckbunnies) for? –Erik — Erik Bailey   | Cambridge Technology Partners      | The usual disclaimer               | 304 Vassar St., Cambridge MA 02139 | applies: this post is       /earth is 98% full; please remove any excess inhabitants.

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that my ears and my nipples were all that I was going to perforate, I’m now thinking of having one of my inner labial lips pierced. (I would do the pair, but one hangs significantly lower than the other, and I think that just piercing one would look great, ’sides which, I might just want to save the other for later).

Typically they can pierce this so that they hang at the same level. Jim Ward did mine that way. Unfortunately, women lack the boon that men hove of bing able to gaze at their genetalia (sp?] without using a mirror and getting an awful crick in the neck. So, personal aesthetic enjoyment will not be the primary motivator here.

Sigh, if only we didn’t need the mirror. What I would like to know is… does a labial piercing, to anyone’s knowledge, enhance sexual pleasure?

Did for the first week after I started having sex again (I waited 3 weeks before trying) Now, I don’t feel them at all unless I sit wrong or they twist (too often) I have heard that it is a super easy piercing, is this true?

It was easy for me. Painful, but easy. Healed quickly. What sort of jewelry does it usually require?

I have 14 gauge green Niobium rings. I cannot handle stainless nor 14 Kt. I tried w/ the nipples and…..welll…….I still have scars. have (the FAQ covers it all rather objectively, and I’d like to know what people’s personal experiences have been).

All and all if I had to do it again, I wouldn’t. They are more annoying than pleasureable. Martha Underwood                           Natural Stitches a new                                            Pittsburgh Needlework Shop

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(warning: shameless flirting follows! ) Anyway, this weekend, Erik got a prince albert Heh… Yep — I did indeed! Went down to Gauntlet NYC at 6pm on Saturday (nervous as all hell!), and did it! Liz had given me a *beautiful* gold ring as a present last month,

"as a present"!? As I seem to recall, this was more than *just* a present, sweetie, and don’t you forget it… so we just went right in and, next thing I knew, I had a ring dangling from my penis! I couldn’t believe it — almost no paid at all! It was maybe 1/4 – 1/2 the paid of the nipples, and was SO

    ^^^^                                    ^^^^ boy, hon, your stuffy nose must be a whole lot worse than it was when we talked last… at least I assume you meant "pain," but if you meant that you paid less, well that’s accurate too, I suppose :. Well, Lizzie, I know this didn’t answer your question (I hope some of the net.goddesses can give her some nice positive feedback on that end!), but hey — what are friends (and lovers, and fuckbunnies) for? –Erik

Well, you’re right, you didn’t answer my question, but you did make me smile and laugh a bit, it felt good… thanks –Liz — Liz Rover           "Le coeur a des raisons que la raison ne connait pas"

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Liz was really cute… For the last month or so, as I was deciding to get my PA, she was adamant about not wanting another pierce, and even a bit unsure as to *my* getting one. Well, what a difference now! On the subway back from Gauntlet to her apartment, she started talking about maybe getting one herself (er, a genital piercing, not a PA!)! I smiled to myself, saying that I knew this would happen!

I know the feeling very well.  *I* had to be restrained while Solaris got his nipple pierced.  I have 12 gauge rings in my nipples, as well as 14 gauge labial rings, but I wanted *more*.  I still do, but I’m not sure where, just yet. Hi folks! Just a quick note of thanks to everyone who responded to my query as to whether or not I should get a labial pierce… the replies were overwhelmingly positive. So, I don’t think it’ll be too much longer… now, all I have to decide is if I really only want *one*, Anyway, thanks a lot!!!

Go for it, Liz.  I had a wonderful time getting mine pierced, and they healed up without any problem.  Raelyn didn’t put the beads on the rings immediately, to give me a chance to get used to the feel, and the biggest problem I had was that the ring tended to rotate so that the opening was inside the labia, which tended to hurt as I rotated it back out.  Yes, inner labia heal *that* fast. My only disappointment with the labial rings is that they have not resulted in a significant increase in the sensitivity, as was the result with my nipple rings.  But they’re a turn-on, and this weekend I plan to wear some custom-made jewelry dangling from my "naughty bits".  Of course, not everyone will be allowed to view the jewelry. <grin And a last note for those who think "how sad" or "oh, that’s terrible" with respect to our choices to be pierced:  I’m proud of mine, and I’m especially proud of the statement I’m making.  I’m reclaiming my life, and I don’t *have* to justify my choices to anyone.  I didn’t decide to have these done lightly, but when the time was right, I went ahead.  I thought about the reactions of my friends, playmates, and lovers, but then I also thought about the fact that *my friends* would understand and support me as I made personal choices that made me stronger and happier.  And they have. Rhia (mistress of hardware)

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[Rhia's very nice comments about Liz's and my posts deleted for brevity...] And a last note for those who think "how sad" or "oh, that’s terrible" with respect to our choices to be pierced:  I’m proud of mine, and I’m especially proud of the statement I’m making.  I’m reclaiming my life, and I don’t *have* to justify my choices to anyone.  I didn’t decide to have these done lightly, but when the time was right, I went ahead.  I thought about the reactions of my friends, playmates, and lovers, but then I also thought about the fact that *my friends* would understand and support me as I made personal choices that made me stronger and happier.  And they have.

Absolutely agreed. I am really *so* much happier with my body, both physically and spiritually (not really what I mean, but essentially both the physical and the nonphysical) as a direct result of my pierces. It’s not that they have made me "more attractive" (although I happen to think they have), it’s that I’ve done something with myself for myself, something that I’m really proud of, something that I could not have done without "liking" myself. You say "personal choices that made me stronger and happier." Rhia, I couldn’t agree more! There’s a lot more to a pierce than metal in flesh. It’s a transcendence of the ordinary, a rising above that that we were given and making it better. Of course, this applies to far more than just pierces — I now have an interest in another tattoo, but this time one that works *with* my body, rather than just a design placed on it. So things are pretty hunkey-dorey, and I like it! Rhia (mistress of hardware)

–Erik — Erik Bailey   | Cambridge Technology Partners      | The usual disclaimer               | 304 Vassar St., Cambridge MA 02139 | applies: this post is       /earth is 98% full; please remove any excess inhabitants.

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And a last note for those who think "how sad" or "oh, that’s terrible" with respect to our choices to be pierced:  I’m proud of mine, and I’m especially proud of the statement I’m making.  I’m

reclaiming my life, and I don’t *have* to justify my choices to anyone.

What statement *are* you actually making? It appears to be a very private one (unless you wear a T-shirt saying "I’m pierced"). More likely is that you’re exercising your right to be an individual, but I see no statement. As for "how sad", etc, no problems – do what you like, as long as it doesn’t encroach on other people’s freedom. Can’t see a labial piercing doing that, myself! Regards, Deceleration Trauma – hitting the ground after jumping off Canary Wharf. Fulcrum Communications Ltd., Fordrough Lane, Birmingham, B9 5LD, ENGLAND.

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What statement *are* you actually making? It appears to be a very private one (unless you wear a T-shirt saying "I’m pierced").

Now there’s an idea!  How about a t-shirt that says: "Nobody knows I’ve got jewelry in my dick."   -Mike Irony is the spice of life.     ‘90 Bianchi Backstreet  ’82 Suzuki GS850GL

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