...he is officially a teenager.
His mother doesn't like to be reminded.
I wrote him a letter explaining why I'm proud of him. I give him a nickels worth of free advice about life at 13; you know...girls, parents, school, etc. I think I'll write another one when he's 16 and again at 18 and 21. Those are the milestone ages. I wanted to tell him the things that no one told me that I wish I knew at 13, 16, 18 and 21. My parents weren't the touchy-feely type.
And while I'm a little uncomfortable talking I am pretty good at writing. So I wrote. Maybe I should have sat him down but my mind wanders some and writing it down and letting him read it is better.
Happy Birthday Matthew!
Eric
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Movies...
I like movies. Wish I could afford to see all the ones I want on the big screen but I can't so I have to pick and choose.
This week...I'm chosing Narnia on Sunday and Aeon Flux on Monday.
I'll review them on Wed or Thurs...
BTW...Narnia books are not CHRISTIAN books. They are allegory. They are fantasy. They are Lewis' imagination gone wild.
Deal with it.
Eric
This week...I'm chosing Narnia on Sunday and Aeon Flux on Monday.
I'll review them on Wed or Thurs...
BTW...Narnia books are not CHRISTIAN books. They are allegory. They are fantasy. They are Lewis' imagination gone wild.
Deal with it.
Eric
Saturday, December 03, 2005
I Knew This Would Happen...
...someday.
(Pilot/aviation geek stuff ahead!)
I have never had to do a missed approach for real (only in training) and the other night I almost broke that 20 year record. ATC dumped me on to the approach at 6000 feet...4000 higher than I needed to be. And 7 miles closer than I needed to be. I lucked out...the ceiling came up and I made it in.
BUT...I did have to do something I have never had to do for real (only done it in training). I had to use an emergency gear extension procedure on the C-421 on Friday at Portland. Damn thing froze in the wheel well and, after cycling the gear three times, I committed to nearly staying in Portland until Monday. I pulled the emergency gear handle, rammed hundreds of psi of nitrogen through the system, and slammed the nose gear down.
To take off again, the plane has to be jacked up, the circuit breaker reset, the nitro bottle refilled and the gear inspected. No one could do it on Friday...but Monday was just fine! Yeah.
So, my 2:50 flight out of PDX to RDD left at 4:30. I read nearly half of my 400 page book.
Spent my last 6 bucks on lunch. (Half a pastrami on light rye and a Mr. Pibb!)
What pisses me off the most is this happened once before in this airplane to another pilot and, even after the shop trouble-shot it and made some repairs...it happened again. Now I'll probably have to airline it up to PDX on Monday and pick up the plane and fly it home. Oh well...at least I'm getting paid!
Eric
(Pilot/aviation geek stuff ahead!)
I have never had to do a missed approach for real (only in training) and the other night I almost broke that 20 year record. ATC dumped me on to the approach at 6000 feet...4000 higher than I needed to be. And 7 miles closer than I needed to be. I lucked out...the ceiling came up and I made it in.
BUT...I did have to do something I have never had to do for real (only done it in training). I had to use an emergency gear extension procedure on the C-421 on Friday at Portland. Damn thing froze in the wheel well and, after cycling the gear three times, I committed to nearly staying in Portland until Monday. I pulled the emergency gear handle, rammed hundreds of psi of nitrogen through the system, and slammed the nose gear down.
To take off again, the plane has to be jacked up, the circuit breaker reset, the nitro bottle refilled and the gear inspected. No one could do it on Friday...but Monday was just fine! Yeah.
So, my 2:50 flight out of PDX to RDD left at 4:30. I read nearly half of my 400 page book.
Spent my last 6 bucks on lunch. (Half a pastrami on light rye and a Mr. Pibb!)
What pisses me off the most is this happened once before in this airplane to another pilot and, even after the shop trouble-shot it and made some repairs...it happened again. Now I'll probably have to airline it up to PDX on Monday and pick up the plane and fly it home. Oh well...at least I'm getting paid!
Eric
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Disney and Thanksgiving...
...or How I Sprained My Ankle...
...or How My 40-Year-Old Body Doesn't Respond When My Mind Thinks It's 19...
The drive this time wasn't so bad. Not a lot of traffic and the kids entertain themselves pretty well now with books and music. If the wife has a CD on they (or I) don't want to listen to, they drag out the CD players and earbuds...I drag out the MP3 player and the earbuds. Everyone is happy.
I introduced my children to some classic Bill Cosby routines, namely the album, "Wonderfulness" which includes "The Chicken Heart That Ate New York". This is from the 60's and early in his career. Riotous stuff! The boy loved it!
Dinner at my Mother-in-law's is always interesting. She's getting on and basically wants everyone to drop what they are doing and spend time with her. She uses guilt and subtle hints. We were cramming two 9-hour drives with two Thanksgivings, one in the high desert and one in the low desert including 3 days at Disneyland. We just didn't have the time and my wife and kids refuse to stay at her house for more than a day. She smokes.
My sister joined us for Disneyland on Monday. We had a good time. My wife and daughter didn't want to ride Indiana Jones so my sister, son and I did. As we were leaving the ride, going down the stairs, I decided to pass my son by sliding down the rail.
Dumb.
My mind thought my body was 19 and hopped on the rail. My body decided we were moving way too fast for 40 and elected to get off the rail. I rolled my left ankle, spraining it really good. The same one I nearly destroyed five years ago and has always been weak.
That was at 6:30 pm. I left the park at 9:30 pm after hobbling around for 3 more hours. The wife had to go to the hotel and get the van to pick me up then off to Walgreens for first aid. My ankle was about the size of a large, red apple. But I iced it up, wrapped it up and swallowed a bunch of ibuprofen. I had paid for three days I was going to use my three days!!
It's still ugly and bruised but I managed one more day at Disneyland and one day at California Adventure. We had a good time. Check out California Soaring if you go. It's like being on a hand-glider over all the landmark places in Cali. You can smell the pine in the forest, the salt over the coast, and the sweet smell of oranges over the groves. When we zoomed over L.A. they should have pumped in the acrid smell of SMOG!! After that, head over to California Screamin' roller coaster. Fun ride!
Thursday at my parents house in Indio. My brother and his new (pregnant) wife were there so it was good to have everyone around. Played golf with my brother and dad on Friday. Took my son. It was his first time playing. I haven't played in about 6 years. Didn't do too bad despite the lapse of time and the bad ankle. Still have a nasty slice though.
Drove home Saturday and beat most of the traffic. Every once in a while I think it would be nice to move back to So. Cal to be closer to family. Then I spend a week down there and realize I have it pretty good in Redding. Nicer. Mountains are prettier. Freeways don't get clogged for hours on end. CHP officers don't get shot pulling over random vehicles. You can see the mountains! And it doesn't take you an hour and a half to drive 50 miles!
We'll stay here. :)
Eric
...or How My 40-Year-Old Body Doesn't Respond When My Mind Thinks It's 19...
The drive this time wasn't so bad. Not a lot of traffic and the kids entertain themselves pretty well now with books and music. If the wife has a CD on they (or I) don't want to listen to, they drag out the CD players and earbuds...I drag out the MP3 player and the earbuds. Everyone is happy.
I introduced my children to some classic Bill Cosby routines, namely the album, "Wonderfulness" which includes "The Chicken Heart That Ate New York". This is from the 60's and early in his career. Riotous stuff! The boy loved it!
Dinner at my Mother-in-law's is always interesting. She's getting on and basically wants everyone to drop what they are doing and spend time with her. She uses guilt and subtle hints. We were cramming two 9-hour drives with two Thanksgivings, one in the high desert and one in the low desert including 3 days at Disneyland. We just didn't have the time and my wife and kids refuse to stay at her house for more than a day. She smokes.
My sister joined us for Disneyland on Monday. We had a good time. My wife and daughter didn't want to ride Indiana Jones so my sister, son and I did. As we were leaving the ride, going down the stairs, I decided to pass my son by sliding down the rail.
Dumb.
My mind thought my body was 19 and hopped on the rail. My body decided we were moving way too fast for 40 and elected to get off the rail. I rolled my left ankle, spraining it really good. The same one I nearly destroyed five years ago and has always been weak.
That was at 6:30 pm. I left the park at 9:30 pm after hobbling around for 3 more hours. The wife had to go to the hotel and get the van to pick me up then off to Walgreens for first aid. My ankle was about the size of a large, red apple. But I iced it up, wrapped it up and swallowed a bunch of ibuprofen. I had paid for three days I was going to use my three days!!
It's still ugly and bruised but I managed one more day at Disneyland and one day at California Adventure. We had a good time. Check out California Soaring if you go. It's like being on a hand-glider over all the landmark places in Cali. You can smell the pine in the forest, the salt over the coast, and the sweet smell of oranges over the groves. When we zoomed over L.A. they should have pumped in the acrid smell of SMOG!! After that, head over to California Screamin' roller coaster. Fun ride!
Thursday at my parents house in Indio. My brother and his new (pregnant) wife were there so it was good to have everyone around. Played golf with my brother and dad on Friday. Took my son. It was his first time playing. I haven't played in about 6 years. Didn't do too bad despite the lapse of time and the bad ankle. Still have a nasty slice though.
Drove home Saturday and beat most of the traffic. Every once in a while I think it would be nice to move back to So. Cal to be closer to family. Then I spend a week down there and realize I have it pretty good in Redding. Nicer. Mountains are prettier. Freeways don't get clogged for hours on end. CHP officers don't get shot pulling over random vehicles. You can see the mountains! And it doesn't take you an hour and a half to drive 50 miles!
We'll stay here. :)
Eric
Saturday, November 26, 2005
I'm Back...
....I'll post my adventures with Family and Friends and my support of that evil empire known as DisneyCorp later...
For now...it's good to be home!
Eric
For now...it's good to be home!
Eric
Friday, November 18, 2005
Going...
...out of town...visit relatives...do Thanksgiving with extended family...hit Disneyland...
Have a good holiday ya'll!
Eric
Have a good holiday ya'll!
Eric
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Fall...
...has fallen in my yard! While raking leaves is not my favorite yard choir, this time of year is one of the most beautiful around this area. I had the opportunity to fly to the coast this morning and, surprise!, no fog! The colors were magnificent! Then I flew north to Yreka right passed Mt. Shasta but like a dork, I left my camera in the back of the plane so no cool pics.
But I did get these this afternoon of the tree in my front yard..
Enjoy!
Eric
But I did get these this afternoon of the tree in my front yard..
Enjoy!
Eric
Friday, November 11, 2005
The Governator...
...was in town today. He was dedicating the only State Veteran's Cemetary in California. He landed at the airport but all I got was a picture of his black SUV leaving.
Bummer.
Well it's happened...I knew it would...my new flying job has me working this weekend. But I'm getting a salary, it doesn't interfere with Kung Fu and it will probably cancel. And I won't have to fly for the next two weekends because I'll be on vacation.
Disneyland here I come!
Eric
Bummer.
Well it's happened...I knew it would...my new flying job has me working this weekend. But I'm getting a salary, it doesn't interfere with Kung Fu and it will probably cancel. And I won't have to fly for the next two weekends because I'll be on vacation.
Disneyland here I come!
Eric
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Okay....Someone Stole My Idea...
I always said that if I couldn't save the plane, after trying everything within my power, I would aim for the nearest Wal-Mart. I figure it's my civic/social duty to raise the IQ of any town with a Wal-Mart by at least 50 points by crashing into one!
Now this guy goes off an does it!
Here's the story at Foxnews...
FoxNews Story
Eric
Now this guy goes off an does it!
Here's the story at Foxnews...
FoxNews Story
Eric
Friday, November 04, 2005
I Thought I Should Post...
...in case anyone is reading! Haha!
Rain has hit the Northstate. Finally. It is cool and crisp outside. Just the way I like it. The flannel sheets are out and the wife is wearing soft sweatshirts and sweaters! I don't have to mow my lawn again until March or April and that nasty sprinkler problem can be shelved until spring as well! There is snow on the mountains which makes a beautiful sunset or sunrise all that more exquisite.
Of course, if I had a motorcycle, my riding days would be few and far between. But, alas...no wheels. :(
Flew on Tuesday. Will fly again on Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday will be a late night over to Reno...no...I don't get to go to the casinos...I get to hang out at the airport for 5 hours. But...it's like riding a bike, I haven't flown since June but it felt good to get behind the stick again. I even remembered how to fly the Cessna 340. It's been 5 years since I've been in one!
I'm hoping the turbo props come soon. Looking forward to getting some more King Air time.
Have a good weekend....
Eric
Rain has hit the Northstate. Finally. It is cool and crisp outside. Just the way I like it. The flannel sheets are out and the wife is wearing soft sweatshirts and sweaters! I don't have to mow my lawn again until March or April and that nasty sprinkler problem can be shelved until spring as well! There is snow on the mountains which makes a beautiful sunset or sunrise all that more exquisite.
Of course, if I had a motorcycle, my riding days would be few and far between. But, alas...no wheels. :(
Flew on Tuesday. Will fly again on Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday will be a late night over to Reno...no...I don't get to go to the casinos...I get to hang out at the airport for 5 hours. But...it's like riding a bike, I haven't flown since June but it felt good to get behind the stick again. I even remembered how to fly the Cessna 340. It's been 5 years since I've been in one!
I'm hoping the turbo props come soon. Looking forward to getting some more King Air time.
Have a good weekend....
Eric
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