What Just Flew By!

Life is choices.

2020-09-13T20:38:00.003-04:00

Life is choices; good, bad or not.

This RANT will probably get me blocked. Hated by family and friend.

I’m just drunk enough to get this off my chest. I’m ok with that.

If you choose that not wearing a mask, is a violation of something in your life, and that’s the ground you want to draw your line, great! I won’t unfriend you or say things about you. Go For it! THOUGH accept the consequences. There will be places you can’t go,  albeit temporarily.  You have no right to go into a privately owned store or restaurant or museum that follow whatever regs their state or country has set up, and ignore those rules set up by them. You’ve made a choice. Believe it I respect that. It’s not the one I would make but, it’s your decision.

Should you choose to want to go to those places that require masks. Follow the directions. 

The people I can’t respect are you who haphazardly walk into a place with your mask hanging down below your nose or mouth or are wearing an air gator, or bandana that isn’t staying on your face. Just stay the hell home, you look ridiculous!

I’d have more respect for you if you walked in without it on at all.  You’re going to be asked to leave but . . . again this is your decision.

If I’m in a store and you’re doing it that’s not my place to tell you, you’re wrong. I’m just going to walk away.

HOWEVER, you walk in my place of work. You will wear a mask and I will politely call you out if you aren’t wearing it properly. It’s a matter of my employment.  You’re not coming in, it’s that simple. If you are in and it happens to need an "adjustment" to comply to our standards I’m going to tell you politely.

Please, though don’t insult me though coming in wearing your mask over your chin or  around your neck and expect me not to notice or say anything. You will be asked to comply or leave, again it’s your choice! As bad as things are your money isn’t worth the risk, to my visitors or my livelihood not to mention my health.  If you feel like bitching me out, or flicking me the bird, so be it!  Its not my issue its yours. You are still leaving.

At this point I really don’t care what you think. Fuck it! The world's on fire, and I’m going to protect myself. I thought that maybe natural selection would kick in but, this evening I realized that most people who aren’t complying have already reproduced, so that’s not going to work.

I’m at a place that if this makes you want to block, unfriend online or in real life go ahead. 

Life’s too short.

The Helicopter made by a Refrigerator company

2020-03-25T12:17:00.001-04:00

This week here in the States there has been a lot of talk of Defense Production Act of 1950. While not necessarily a product of that Act, it did remind me of the current restoration at my museum. Ok I miss saying good night to my newest friend. A Sikorsky R-6A.

The R-6 is kind of the middle child of early Sikorsky military helicopters. The R-4 was the first and the most famous. It was the first helicopter to airlift a wounded soldier in World War II. On the other side is the R-5/S-51 which was larger and continued production into the 50’s. In between is the little R-6.

The R-6 was a refinement of the R-4. The R-6 retained the R-4 38 foot articulated three bladed rotor and the three bladed tail rotor. It retained the two-place side by side cockpit. (The R-5 went to tandem cockpit in a much larger fuselage. The fuselage was more streamlined, the tail boom was extended. The length of 33 Feet 8 inches was increased to 47 Feet 11 Inches but kept the 38-foot rotor disk.

The original S-49/R-6 was powered by the Lycoming O-435-7 six-cylinder engine developing 225 horsepower. This was quickly replaced by the 235 Horsepower Franklin O-405-9 which powered the remaining production.

To demonstrate the speed and endurance of the new helicopter Col. Gregory, and his passenger Ralph Alex few from Washington DC to Dayton Ohio on March 2, 1944. This flight shattered all records for rotary winged flight at the time. The 387-mile flight achieved a ground speed of 80 miles per hour. Also, the R-6 climbed to 5000+ feet to cross the Allegany Mountains. The Flight lasted 4 hours 56 minutes.

Sikorsky built one XR-6 and five pre-production XR-6/XHOS-1s. Sikorsky was producing both the R-4 and ramping up production on the larger R-5, the USAAC production division ordered that R-6 production to Nash-Kelvinator. At the time Nash was producing Hamilton Standard Propellers and Pratt Whitney Double Wasps aka R2800s (pause for cheer). Sikorsky was extremely reluctant to give up production. After a struggle Sikorsky capitulated and contractually agreed to license Nash Kevinator to build the R-6 on August 28, 1943.

Little over a year later the First Nash-Kelvinator R-6 was accepted by then what was the USAAF in October 1944. The USN received its first HOS-1 for the USCG the month earlier.

Nash at its peak had 4 assembly lines producing 16 helicopters at a time. Components came from various sources like Sikorsky, who made blades gear boxes and rotors all were in common with the R-4. Eventually 216 aircraft were built when production stopped in 1945.

The HOS-1 was important for the US Navy’s development of rotary wing operations. VX-3 stood up at NAS New York in July 1946 and quickly embarked aboard the USS Saidor CVE-117. On their way to OPERATION CROSSROADS, on Bikini Atoll. An HOS-1 became the first Helicopter to fly from the Atlantic to the Pacific as the carrier transited the Panama Canal. Another Milestone was the first Transcontinental Flight by a Helicopter from NAS Lakehurst to NAS San Diego by Captain Clayton Marcy, then the current CO of VX-3.

Eventually 27 R-6As were delivered to the Royal Air Force as Hoverfly IIs. The Fleet Air Arm would receive 15 and continue to fly them until 1951.

July 14^th, 1945 the beginning of 60 flights occurred over Paricutin Volcano in Mexico. Hovering over the Volcano they USAAF acquired data about flying in Hot and High climates and the challenges there with. Interesting on the expedition was an amateur Volcanologist by the name of Igor Sikorsky.

There are currently three R-6As on display all are in US Army markings. One currently is being restored at the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center. Our helicopter 43-45531 is being restored as a HOS-1 in US Coast Guard Markings.

So, its been a long time since I have said this, but This is David your Airplane Geek’s historian signing off.

Works Cited

“Sikorsky Archives: S-49.” S, www.sikorskyarchives.com/S-49.php.

“Sikorsky R-6a Hoverfly II.” Sikorsky R-6 Helicopter - Development History, Photos, Technical Data, www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/sik_r-6.php.

“Sikorsky R-6a Hoverfly II.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Oct. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_R-6.

Cover Letter!

2019-04-16T09:21:00.002-04:00

Who am I? Am I Resume?

Woke up with that in my head this morning. Marvin Hamilisch then went to pen “That is a picture of a person I don’t know”.

I need a break. I need someone to believe in me. I want to do something I love. Something I. believe in. In 14 days, I turn 49. In 11 I celebrate four years since my surgery. I want to do something I love.

I have so many skills, writing, photography. I can view the world in macros, and in quiet one on one interactions.

Aviation permeates all aspects of my life. I have spoken to 1000’s of people taking and celebrating, that joy we all get just by looking up. I want to do that more. Someone help me, “Give me a chance to show through” Marvin again in a Chorus Line.

“Give me a job, and you’ll instantly get me involved”. Unmanned Aerial Systems, UAS, Drones I love because I learn, I read I get to interact. There has to be someone out there who wants passion and knowledge. I have always subscribed to the #DronesforGood hashtag, and I think The UAV Digest had that sentiment from the beginning even before there was a hashtag. You want someone out front who believes in what you are doing. More importantly can explain to the Industry Professionals and to the general public.

Museums are rarified air. ALL of them. I know history. I know giftshops. I know how to coordinate volunteers. Sell tickets. Keep people from doing dumb things around airplanes. More importantly I can tell the stories that kids and adults can learn. I want to see smiles and joy. I too was a little boy looking at a man with a Straw Hat, who’s kindly face is forever burned in my mind. I can curate that exhibit or tell your benefactors how their time and dollars are being put to use.

Please & Thank You! Good Morning! A firm warm handshake. Being a good person. Going that one step farther. Customer Service. Wanting ever experience to be beyond expectations. Yes, its Disney! But I want and need to help and work with people.

I am what you need! I’m not a piece a paper or a “Skills Test”. I’m a well-rounded person who’s had challenges.

Yes, I am super proficient in Office, Slack, Phone skills. Social Media. I learn whatever tech you put in front of me.

Since you don’t know me personally, I have a huge collection of R2-D2 memorabilia, all away back to my original Artoo Kenner Action Figure. I realized as I wrote this, I’m a lot like that little Droid. He may not look like much on the outside, but he’s so much more that his resume, he has tricks and talents that you can’t see unless you give him the chance. He also has a huge heart.

I want that opportunity! I’ve had jobs. Someone let me show you every day my passion.

Hello! I’m David Martin Vanderhoof, and I am exactly the person you didn’t know you needed until now.

Just another New Year's Resolution

2019-01-01T14:10:00.000-05:00

Well here I am its 01-01-2019.

Again, I am trying to look ahead. I am officially a bachelor and unemployed. I must admit that Q4 of 2018 was eventful. I didn’t write enough! Seems like I say this every year now. I get so excited to write after doing the Christmas Story, then January hits and well, there goes the motivation.

I also need to be more active in the podcasting. I will admit that I have been slacking off. I will have been podcasting since 2009 that’s 10 years, which is hard to believe. I am going to try and set a goal of two history segments a month. I figure if I write them ahead of time I won’t have the stress, of ramming it down on a Monday.

I have camera and need to use it! I do like photography, and I want to get better, and I need to practice what I preach. I have a friend who always wants to take pictures, yet the camera comes out once every six months. Well I hope my photography friends will keep pushing me to shoot. Also in 43 days, I head to Hawaii and I want to fill up my cards with all that state has to offer.

I need to adult more and better. The Apartment is still a work in progress, but I have had help and motivation to get it together. The back bedroom is still a mass of boxes. I should admit it took forever to recover from getting the rest of Dad’s stuff last January. I had a whole apartment full of stuff arrive on short notice. The quantity and what is was, was painful. I did get a place to record now without doing it at the dining room table. But I do have a lot of “stuff” and could downsize if I focus. I am trying to keep the living areas clean so if someone comes over I am not too humiliated.

Cooking should be more and less eating out. I said that last year also. Cooking for one is frustrating. Eating out is expensive. Though cooking for two is motivating so I hope that happens more in ’19. That assumption was going to happen in ‘18, I did buy a lot of stuff so I could cook for others and myself. I need to get them out of the boxes and learn to use them. Life shouldn’t be just Microwaves and Toaster ovens. I have a slow cooker for heaven’s sake.

The next thoughts should be entitled I get by with a little help from my friends. 2018 was surprising from a relationship status. I started the year in love and ended the year in love and the middle was just wild. The month of December is when it changed. I realized that I was starting to be with who the universe wants me to be with. To quote Ms. Simon “I wasn’t looking yet somehow you found me.” That person who just looks at you and says, “I’ll wait!” followed by “You’ll figure it out.” “I know you don’t believe you’re worth it, but I do.” It’s funny but that realization, suddenly unlocked doors. I’ll be honest, I was expecting to be alone for the holidays. But again, the universe felt the need to smack me in the face. I had so much love, from friends who really are family, I had a joyful Christmas. I was happy. Last year was high highs followed by emptiness. I think 2019 is going to be just an uphill climb to happiness. Not like climbing a wall but a gradual slope each day is getting better, then the last.

I will admit it’s terrifying to be with someone who, just sees you, faults and all, and can love you still. It’s taken time to get over the, she must feel sorry for me thoughts. But then a gentle hand reached out for support, naturally one rainy night, and without a word, supported me physically and emotionally. It’s hard to put that in words, as well as the emotional freedom, to know its ok, and not to be embarrassed asking for help.

So, let’s set some goals for 2019

· Job, need to find one and one that will let me be happy doing it

· Adulting, yes by 2020 the back room will be clean and I will continue to become independent

o That includes trying to keep eating out to say once a week.

o I need to exercise! Don’t we all!

· Allow myself to do thing by myself. Yes Capt. Marvel, I’m seeing you, all by myself.

· I need to write. Two history Segments a Month at least and yes a Christmas Story”

· Become a better podcaster, relearn how to edit. Make more contacts. Shoot for the bigger guests. When recording be present and not distracted.

· Take pictures. Find beauty every day. When in Hawaii at least 1000 photos.

· Swim! I haven’t since my surgery. Hawaii and down the shore. I need to feel the ocean

o Which also means go to the shore, 2018 I never made it to the sea. I can’t let another year go by like that again.

· Play! Legos and models are good stress relief and its OK. I promised I finish Leia’s Resistance Transport (AKA Chinook on its side)

· Be more political, there’s more to activism than just a perfect voting record. Not let all of it get me so angry.

Some stretch goals.

· I want to Interview Dr. Ellen Stofan of NASM

· I want to interview SecAF Heather Ann Wilson

· I want to get a ride in a Stearman

· I want to get Myself Max and David aboard FAT ALBERT

· Suzy is due for more flights. I need to work towards that book.

Lastly, I need to learn to enjoy life more. I now have a partner who won’t let me take my life so seriously. I am not alone and I am loved.

Ok 2019 Bring it!

Concert Night 16 days of Writing about Alan Parsons.

2018-11-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

So YOLO right? I get let go from work only to find out that Alan Parsons is playing at the Keswick Theatre within miles of my Apartment. So I got tickets. Im not going to miss him again. So I forked over a lot of money to see him. If your curious how much of a fan I am well, check this out.

So here's a compilation of my daily Facebook Posts.

Yes, I’m going to do it! I am finally seeing my Musical hero. I’ve never been more excited for a concert. Most of the songs I love I won’t get to hear but I’m expecting to be higher than a kite.

So here’s the first only 15 more days!

Ignorance is Bliss

From 1999s The Time Machine

I find this Paradise and rest beside a river

No need to walk another mile

It seems like everyone has everything that wishes could provide

But no one seems to smile

You won't believe me when I tell you this is fantasy

Don't ask how long all this can last

The same old sun will rise and make tomorrow just like yesterday

And so your time will pass

A shelter from the storm

A room without a view

A place where you belong

And like a mother's kiss

That carries you to sleep

The ignorance is bliss

One day the wind may change and blow at your defenses

And shake the ground on which you stand

One day the tide may turn and wash away your castles in the sand

And silence rule the land

A shelter from the storm

A room without a view

A place where you belong

And like a mother's kiss

That carries you to sleep

The ignorance is bliss

One day the wind will change and blow away your wonderland

Blue skies will soon be overcast

One day the tide will turn and wash away your castles in the sand

And you'll find peace, at last

Alan Parsons Day 2

This being Halloween it can be only one Album Tales of Mystery and Imagination, released May 1, 1976. I first learned of it in a Junior High School English Class. We were Studying Poe, and our Teacher made us listen to this LP on this Classroom mono phonograph. I was hooked Cask of Amontillado is still in my Top five APP songs.

The duet still soars and makes me have chills

By the last breath of the four winds that blow

I'll have revenge upon Fortunato

Smile in his face I'll say "come let us go

I've a cask of Amontillado"

Sheltered inside from the cold of the snow

Follow me now to the vault down below

Drinking the wine as we laugh at the time

Which is passing incredibly slow

Part of you dies each passing day

(Say it's a game and I'll come to no harm)

You'll feel your life slipping away

You who are rich and whose troubles are few

May come around to see my point of view

What price the Crown of a King on his throne

When you're chained in the dark all alone

Part of you dies each brick I lay

(Bring back some light in the name of the Lord)

You'll feel your mind slipping away

Alan Parsons Project Day 3 Eagle will rise again.

Pyramid 1978

If you don’t know about Parsons every album was a theme. Pyramid came out in the hight of King Tuts rise to fame and Egyptology. As I’m not sure as I go through this, if its Woolfson’s lyrics or Parsons music and engineering, which makes me go back to them.

This seems appropriate right now with love life and the climate maybe this Eagle and after next week our American

Eagle will rise again

And I could easily fall from grace

Then another would take my place

For the chance to behold your face

As the days of my life are but grains of sand

As they fall from your open hand

At the call of the wind's command

Many words are spoken when there's nothing to say

The fall upon the ears of those who don't know the way

To read between the lines, that lead between the lines, that lead me to you

All that I ask you

Is, show me how to follow you and I'll obey

Teach me how to reach you I can't find my own way

Let me see the light, let me be the light

As the sun turns slowly around the sky

Till the shadow of night is high

The eagle will learn to fly

As the days of his life are but grains of sand

As they fall from your open hand

And vanish upon the land

Many words are spoken when there's nothing to say

The fall upon the ears of those who don't know the way

To read between the lines, that lead between the lines, that lead me to you

Show me how to follow you and I'll obey

Teach me how to reach you I can't find my own way

Let me see the light, let me be the light

And so, with no warning, no last goodbye

In the dawn of the morning sky

The eagle will rise again

Alan Parsons Project Day 4

From the 1982 Album Eye in the Sky, it’s Old and Wise (sorry Heather!)

This being All Souls’ Day this song talks about an old man who’s about to pass on and how he remembers fondly those who’ve gone on before him and those I leave behind.

As far as my eyes can see

There are shadows approaching me

And to those I left behind

I wanted you to know

You've always shared my deepest thoughts

You follow where I go

And oh when I'm old and wise

Bitter words mean little to me

Autumn winds will blow right through me

And someday in the mist of time

When they asked me if I knew you

I'd smile and say you were a friend of mine

And the sadness would be lifted from my eyes

Oh when I'm old and wise

As far as my eyes can see

There are shadows surrounding me

And to those I leave behind

I want you all to know

You've always shared my darkest hours

I'll miss you when I go

And oh, when I'm old and wise

Heavy words that tossed and blew me

Like autumn winds will blow right through me

And someday in the mist of time

When they ask you if you knew me

Remember that you were a friend of mine

As the final curtain falls before my eyes

Oh when I'm old and wise

As far as my eyes can see

Alan Parsons Project Day 5

Time from Turn of a Friendly Card 1981

The Groups second highest charting song, if you want to know the first, ask the expert on that song Heather. It’s also the one song you actually hear Alan sing counterpoint (for you Peter) to Eric Woolfson.

It’s a reminder to TURN your TIME back one hour.

Time, flowing like a river

Time, beckoning me

Who knows when we shall meet again

If ever

But time

Keeps flowing like a river

To the sea

Goodbye my love

Maybe for forever

Goodbye my love

The tide waits for me

Who knows when we shall meet again

If ever

But time

Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)

To the sea, to the sea

Till it's gone forever

Gone forever

Goodbye my friends (Goodbye my love)

Maybe forever

Goodbye my friends (Who knows where we shall meet)

The stars wait for me

Who knows where we shall meet again

If ever

But time

Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)

To the sea, to the sea

Alan Parsons Project Day 6 Winding Me Up

I want to hit every album, but 1979’s EVE is hard. It’s Parsons and Woolfson being Taylor Swift. Every song on the Album is “That Guy”being betrayed by a woman and becomes very misogynistic.

This day and age we realize two guys should not be trying to write songs about how women see themselves in relationships without any woman’s input! In podcasting it’s called #allmalepanel I will admit I’ve been part of them, and called out for it. I will say this, they’re female vocalists on the album which is very unique so they sorta tried?

Relationships are messy, ugly, angry, painful and complicated, especially when they go wrong. People get hurt! EVE is good for showing usually one person gets hurt more than the other and there are consequences.

My go to song on the album is You won’t be there. It’s a good, feel sorry for yourself, song when it’s probably you who’s been screwing up and is in denial.

I’m trying to get away from that sentiment and trusting that I’ve found someone who will be there and I won’t screw it up this time.

So since it’s Clock change day I’m going to pick Winding Me Up (Watch what I did there)

Well it was only a game she was mine for the asking

And I'd figured the whole thing out

When she told me her name it was more that a feeling

There wasn't any doubt

Well it felt so good it was too hard to break it

Too much for me to explain

But in a matter of time I'm gonna be myself again

You've been

Winding me up too long

I'm over my head is it day or night

Cause woman you ain't so strong

But you caught me by surprise

Burned me with your eyes

Cut me down to size

Saw through my disguise

Well it was only a game she was only a number

But I figured it out all wrong

Every time that I said I'll move on tomorrow

I hung around too long

Well it felt so good it was too hard to break it

Too much before me to face

Now I got nowhere to run she knows my every hiding place

You've been

Winding me up too long

I'm over my head is it day or night

Cause woman you ain't so strong

But you caught me by surprise

Burned me with your eyes

Cut me down to size

Saw through my disguise

Winding me up too long

I'm over my head is it day or night

Cause woman you ain't so strong

But you caught me by surprise

Burned me with your eyes

Cut me down to size

Beat me to the prize

Hurt me with your lies

Burned me with your eyes

Cut me down to size

Saw through my disguise

Alan Parsons Project Day 7 Stereotomy

To carve and create from stone.

It has nothing to do with Music.

People mold you, dominate you, with thoughts words and deeds. Provide you strength and then take a little here, a little off there, smooth some edges. Finally there’s nothing left to see, their sculpture is complete. You’re what they wanted to see, and to you you’re unrecognizable.

Diamond eyes

That burn me and turn me to stone

Crystallize

And freeze me in clear monochrome

Turn me to stone; do anything you want with me

Turn me to stone; do anything you want

Stereotomy

We can make it together

Do anything you want with me

Do anything you want

Scarlet minds

Possess me and I feel no shame

Silent knives

Dissect me and I feel no pain

Stereotomy

We can make it together

Do anything you want with me

Do anything you want

Stereotomy

We can make it forever

Do anything you want with me

Do anything you want

Starlight beams

Project me in red blue and green

Velvet dreams

Protect me when I hit the screen

Stereotomy

We can make it together

Do anything you want with me, do anything you want

Stereotomy

We can make it forever

It's always the same, it's always the same

Stereotomy, we can make it

We can make it, do anything you want

Turn me to stone

Do anything you want with me

Cover my eyes

There's nothing more they need to see

Turn me to stone

Before there's nothing left of me

Make me a rock

And not what I appear to be

Turn me to stone

Alan Parsons Day 7 Turn it Up!

In 1994 I found a New Alan Parsons Album. Ok it’s not a Project. Eric and Alan had a falling out. Try Anything Once is one of my Favorite albums.

This being Election Day, Turn it up seems appropriate. It’s about taking a stand. Voting is the best way to say how you feel!

It's no good believing in somebody else

If you can't believe in yourself

You give them the reason to take all the power and wealth

It's no good you trying to sit on the fence

And hope that the trouble will pass

'Cause sitting on fences can make you a pain in the ass

If there's something you find to believe in

Then the message must get through

So don't just sit in silence

When you know what to do

Turn it up, turn it up, make it louder

There's no conversation if nobody speaks

And nothing gets done in the end

There's no confrontation when fantasy makes you its friend

So much injustice, too many lies

We don't have to look very far

But nothing will change if we leave things the way that they are

If there's something you find to believe in

Then the message must get through

So don't just sit in silence

When you know what to do

Turn it up, turn it up, make it louder

If there's something you find to believe in

Then the message must get through

So don't just sit in silence

When you know what to do

Turn it up, turn it up, make it louder

Alan Parsons Project Day 8 Since The Last Goodbye.

I love Ammonia Avenue. This is my Island Album. If I had only one album it would be Ammonia Avenue. I love the jacket art. While its supposed about science and people. Science is a tricky muse, she has a way of ripping you apart. There's not a bad song on the album. Woolfson's lyrics are strong and the vocals are soaring.

My put the headphones on and just drift away. Pipeline has an amazing mellow sax line. (yes we do need to have a Sirius conversation eventually about the instrumentals) and so does Don't Answer Me, which also has great video.

I'll gush tomorrow more about Ammonia Ave.

Since The Last Goodbye, a song about separate lives.

The hours, the minutes seem to fly

And since the last goodbye

You and I came a long way

The nights, too short to fill with sleep

Or falling in too deep

Seem so far away now

Memories, all we share between us

Everything we were, all that we remain

But memories somehow came between us

Breaking up two minds that were one and the same

The years are moments passing by

No time to wonder why

You and I went the wrong way

The days too short to fill with dreams

Or question what it means

Are a part of me now

Remember all the leaves were falling

Walking hand in hand, standing in the rain

Remember distant voices calling

Whispers in the dark, I can hear them again

Since the last goodbye

It's all the wrong way round

Since the last goodbye

It's all the wrong way round

Memories, all we share between us

Everything we were, all that we remain

But memories somehow came between us

Breaking up two minds that were one and the same

Since the last goodbye

It's all the wrong way round

Since the last goodbye

It's all the wrong way round

Alan Parsons Day 9 Prime Time

This time next week the curtains will open and Alan and the band will on stage in front of me. Its also Prime Time for me cause I am about to record, the UAV Digest . My collaborative project with Max Flight. Collaboration and creating something from nothing is awesome. I'm Woolfson the dreamer the wordsmith. Max is Alan counterpointing me and engineering the perfect episode. In some of my darkest moments I had a lifeline, droning on with my good friend who makes me better.

So its Ammonia Avenue's PRIME TIME

Well even the longest night won't last forever

But too many hopes and dreams won't see the light

And all of the plans I make won't come together

Something in the air

Maybe for the only time in my life

Something in the air

Turning me around and guiding me right

And it's a prime time, maybe the stars were right

I had a premonition, it's gonna be my turn tonight

Gonna be my turn tonight

Well even the brightest star won't shine forever

But all of the hands I play are working out right

And every move I make feels like a winner

Something in the air

Maybe for the only time in my life

Something in the air

Turning me around and guiding me right

And it's a prime time, maybe the stars were right

I had a premonition, it's gonna be my turn tonight

Gonna be my turn tonight

Alan Parsons Day 10

Oh Life (there must be more)

It’s 12:30 AM and I’m awake. Thoughts of loneliness and anger of another mass shooting. Thus I write!

Mental illness is real and a silent killer, and it seems to have become now a mass killer. Depression, anxiety, PTSD have become buzz words. We have hate coming at us from all sides. Yet somehow we internalize.

It’s amazing to what dark places the mind can take you. Pain, therapy, meds legal and illegal, ways to ease the voices or the suffering, but for some it doesn’t help. We have people coming home who’ve seen unspeakable things. Others where the only way to end the day to day pain is to end it all. And the others who struggle and get by, one day at a time.

If you are depressed say something! Have someone to call. To quote Evan Hansen “you’re not alone” There is no shame in saying I need to cry or talk or just please stay with me without saying a word.

If you’re that person getting the call take it! Your voice can mean life or death.

Suicide touches all of us. It could be an uncle,a friend, a sister, a mother, or a complete stranger.

These days maybe we should text less and talk more.

Don’t ever forget to say I love you.

Oh life (there must be more)

It’s about a suicide attempt. It took me a long time to realize she doesn’t do it! She ends up on the dock, and doesn’t jump off the Bridge.

“I’m barely holding on” but she is. So another victory over the demons we all have.

Here’s to everyone who fights because there is more.

Waves roll out

Out to sea

Tasting the saltwater

Tears upon her cheek

Morning breaks

She's not there

Who could ever find her?

Who would eve care?

No one heard

No one came

No angel of mercy

Appears to know her name

Where is hope

When words fail

All the colours running

Inside when life turns pale

In the dock the boats are harboured

Where the water's cold and still

Oh life, she cries, I've lost the will

From the bridge she sees a lifetime

Oh life, she cries

There must be more...

Tides roll in

Waters rise

Any change of reason

Only clouds her eyes

Arms of grace

She won't feel

All the wounds inside her

That time can never heal

The city lights shine seaward

Swirling in a trance

Her eyes upon the water

Alone in her last dance

From the docks the boats are leaving

As she cries into the dawn

"Oh life, I'm barely holding on"

And she sees her future falling

Til it finds the ocean floor

Oh life, she cries

There must be more

And with the early light

She'll sail into the clear

The winds are all behind her

The hour's almost here

From the bridge she hears the voices

Turn into a roar

Oh life she cries

there must be more

On the dock her soul is sinking

But her spirit longs to soar

Oh life, she cries

There must be more

Oh life I'm barely holding on

There must be more

Oh life there must be something more

Alan Parsons Project 11 Don't Let It Pass

I thought I had spent a lot of money on Tales of Mystery and Imagination. Well there was an album out there, this phantom album, this album that caused the Alan Parsons Project to break up. Irony is the Musical/Album that got egos hurt was about Sigmund Freud! Freudiana was never released in the US, only Europe. I had to have that album, so after years of searching I found a complete CD and bought it for a mere $85.00 plus S&H from Denmark. OK keep in mind we didn't have Apple Music or Spottify ect.

It's not a good album. While I am glad I have it, its meh! It has its moments but not many. Don't Let the Moment Pass is one. It's just a simple ballad. It's a moment song, that every Rock Opera or Musical has.

From 1990's Freudiana the "Missing Alan Parsons Project Album"

This golden day will be mine
For every moment in time
If time should lose her way

A symphony in the night
Of stars that dance in the light
And music far away

They say that love is but a dance
Don't let the music fade away
Don't let the moment pass

Without reason or rhyme
The sweet bouquet of the wine
Will vanish in the air

The innocence of the rose
She leaves where she goes
For all the world to share

Some days when clouds are drifting by
I open my eyes and watch them go
And wonder where they fly

Some nights orion runs too fast
I look to the stars as if to say
Don't let the moment pass

But soon a golden age is past
Just when it seemed that miracles
Where not too much to ask

And though the world may turn too fast
If it should seem like paradise
Don't let the moment pass

Alan Parsons Project Day 12 Brother up in Heaven.

On Air Parsons' album about Flight! Yes, did I mention I love Parsons? I would like to think that he did that just for me, his obsessed fan.

This being Veterans Day, there was only one song I could choose. Brother up in Heaven.

The song was written by Ian Bairnson, long time guitarist for Parsons. Bainson's cousin was killed in Iraq in 1994 in a friendly fire accident. Its solemn and perfect on this day when the guns fell silent on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 100 years ago today

NEVER FORGET!

A boy flies for freedom
But dies for the peace
In the clouds, he waits for an answer
But there's no release
It's strange here without you
And it's so hard to see
So brother up in heaven
Please wait up for me
Oh, brother up in heaven
Please wait up for me
I still see his shadow
His laugh lingers on
When I dream, we're all back together
When I wake, he's gone
It's strange here without you
This was not meant to be
So brother up in heaven
Please wait up for me
And though we try to change the world
A flower when it's cut will surely die
So why do men with so much hate
Destroy what they cannot create
While we all stand by
We look back in anger
But you helped us to see
So brother up in heaven
Please wait up for me
Oh, brother up in heaven
Please wait up for me

Alan Parsons Day 13 (sorta) Pyramania

Ok I missed yesterday. Now I know why it was double shot Tuesday!! Day 14 will be later today.

Because I missed yesterday now we are expecting 4-8 inches of SNOW on Thursday!

Some times you just need a fun song, it doesn't need to make sense this is it.

Pyramania from 1978's Pyramid

There are pyramids in my head
There's one underneath my bed
And my lady's getting cranky

Every possible location
Has a simple explanation
And it isn't hanky-panky

I had read
Somewhere in a book, they improve all your food and your wine
It said, that everything you grow in your garden would taste pretty fine
Instead, all I ever get is a pain in the neck and a
Yap yap yap yap yap yap yap

I've consulted all the sages
I could find in yellow pages
But there aren't many of them

And the Mayan panoramas
On my pyramid pajamas
Haven't helped my little problem

I've been told
Someone in the know can be sure that his luck is as
Good as gold, money in the bank and you don't even pay for it
If you fold, a dollar in the shape of the pyramid that's printed on the back

It's no lie, you can keep the edge of a razor as sharp as an
Eagle's eye, you can grow a hedge that is vertically straight over
Ten feet high, all you really need is a pyramid and just a little luck

I had read, somewhere in a book, they improve all your food and wine and
I've been told, someone in the know can be sure of his good luck and
It's no lie, all you really need is a little bit of pyramidic help

Alan Parson Project Day 14 Days are Numbers (The Traveller )

Two days away and it's time to get to favorites. This is probably my favorite all time song for Parsons. Its hits home, I have never really fit in anywhere. I am always dreaming and hoping to fit in somewhere. Its Parsons' version of Corner of the Sky or Painting a Hat. Those who know me know how attached I am to those two songs. I have someone who's entered into my life who keeps pointing out that I don't live in the moment. Its wistful. Its harmony and lush sax solos.

Well today with a push, I became a Traveller. TIckets are booked for Hawaii in February of 2019. I am going to visit my Best Friend David. Dad always wanted to go with me. So I am doing it for him. I am looking forward to the weekend on Oahu so I will get to see Arizona Missouri and Ford Island. A dream of mine forever.

I promise I will take pictures.

Slowly I think I am learning where I am. And now Days are numbers as I count to Hawaii!

The traveller is always leaving town

He never has the time to turn around

And if the road he's taken isn't leading anywhere

He seems to be completely unaware

The traveller is always leaving home

The only kind of life he's ever known

When every moment seems to be

A race against the time

There's always one more mountain left to climb

Days are numbers

Watch the stars

We can only see so far

Someday, you'll know where you are

Remember

Days are numbers

Count the stars

We can only go so far

One day, you'll know where you are

The traveller awaits the morning tide

He doesn't know what's on the other side

But something deep inside of him

Keeps telling him to go

He hasn't found a reason to say no

The traveller is only passing through

He cannot understand your point of view

Abandoning reality, unsure of what he'll find

The traveller in me is close behind

Days are numbers

Watch the stars

We can only see so far

Someday, you'll know where you are

Remember

Days are numbers

Count the stars

We can only go so far

One day, you'll know where you are

Alan Parsons Project Day 15 La Sagrada Familia

Gaudi was the last official Alan Parsons Project album. Antonio Gaudi was an architect and his Cathedrial in Barcelona is still being built. I will see that someday. This is just a very strong song. It has castanets, how can you not like it. It’s about war and pain and the hope for peace. Victory until next time.

Who knows where the road may
lead us, only the fool would say
Who knows if we'll meet along the
way
Follow the brightest star as far
as the brave may dare
What will we find when we get
there

La Sagrada Familia we pray the
storm will soon be over
La Sagrada Familia for the lion
and the lamb

Who knows where the winds may
blow us, only a fool would say
Who knows if we'll ever reach the
shore
Follow a rising sun with eyes that
may only stare
What kind of fire will burn us
there? What kind of fire?
Only a fool would say

La Sagrada Familia the wind has
changed the storm is over
La Sagrada Familia for the lion
and the lamb
La Sagrada Familia we thank the
Lord the danger's over
La Sagrada Familia there's peace
throughout the land

Under clear blue skies our voices
rise in songs of glory
And for all those years our eyes
and ears were filled with tears

Who knows where the world may
turn us, only a fool would say
Who knows what the fate may
have in store
Follow the light of truth as far
as our eyes can see
How should we knows where that
may be? How should we know?

Then the angry skies, the battle
cries, the sounds of glory
And for all those years out eyes
and ears were filled with tears

Who knows where the road may
lead us, only a fool would say
Who knows what's been lost
along the way
Look for the promised land in all
of the dreams we share
How will we know when we are
there? How will we know?
Only a fool would say

La Sagrada Familia the war is won
the battle's over
La Sagrada Familia for the lion
and the lamb
La Sagrada Familia we thank the
lord the danger's over
La Sagrada Familia behold the
mighty hand
La Sagrada Familia the night is
gone the waiting's over
La Sagrada Familia there's peace
throughout the land

Until the next time
Until the next time

La Sagrada Familia

Alan Parsons Project Day 16 or Its here.

Fate or Things happen for a reason are themes throughout Parsons. So today we are having an ice storm. Seems like I’ll be going alone to the concert. I’m going no matter, I have waited so long to see this concert. Up until today I never paid close attention to the lyrics. Eye in the Sky was the highest placing single in the US charts, reaching #3. Today it seems appropo.

Affairs, romance and being in the moment inevitably lead to anger and heartbreak. I was told once that my empathy allows others to dream. I’m learning that even grasping for a moment at those dreams, is a bad idea.

In the Musical Chess, the song Nobody’s side talks about “Never be the first to believe, never be the last to deceive.” Woolfson’s lyrics boils that down to “The sun in your eyes Made some of the lies worth believing.”

So without further ado here’s EYE in the SKY

Don't think sorry's easily said
Don't try turning tables instead
You've taken lots of Chances before
But I'm not gonna give anymore
Don't ask me
That's how it goes
Cause part of me knows what you're thinkin'

Don't say words you're gonna regret
Don't let the fire rush to your head
I've heard the accusation before
And I ain't gonna take any more
Believe me
The sun in your Eyes
Made some of the lies worth believing

I am the eye in the sky
Looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules
Dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind
And I don't need to see any more
To know that
I can read your mind, I can read your mind

Don't leave false illusions behind
Don't cry cause I ain't changing my mind
So find another fool like before
Cause I ain't gonna live anymore believing
Some of the lies while all of the signs are deceiving

Photo Friday Museum Panoramas

2018-10-26T14:52:00.000-04:00

Last Friday, I was invited to an event at the National Air and Space Museum for an after hours photography event. It was fun taking the same shot at night as I took at the opening of the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall. The other two are the Udvar-Hazy Center and the Fourth building of the National Museum of the US Air Force, in Dayton Ohio.

T-Shirt Tuesday #17 B-2A Spirit

2018-10-23T14:57:00.000-04:00

Well its time to get back to blogging.

This is well worn and goes back to Andrews Air Force Base May 1992. It was the first time I saw the B-2A. There is something magical about the B-2 its graceful. Its the embodiment of it looks good it will fly good.

Life Changes

2018-10-22T13:54:00.000-04:00

A New York Minute, a phase that means your life has changed in the blink of an eye. Since 2014 my life has changed. Surgery, loss of a parent, the ending of a marriage, new apartment, dating, lovers and friends gained and lost. To say it’s been a whirlwind it’s an understatement

Monday October 7^th my life changed again, AON and I parted ways after almost 17 years. I really have wanted a change. I didn’t hate my job, but the workload and lack of support was making me sick again. I won’t go into details but I made a mistake, and I own that.

I do feel like I let my co-workers down, because they must absorb my work on top of theirs. However, I had been doing that for years. For that I am sorry, I let you down.

So as I work through Unemployment and updating my resume with the hope of finally doing something I love. I am starting to try and write and for my listeners, it seems like I’ll be able to do a history segment again for a while for the shows.

The future is wide open, but if anyone is has leads on a job, I will be appreciative of the help. For all those people who have said I need to work in Museums, Aviation or UAVs well here's your chance to help me make that happen.

I will admit I am scared but I have family and friends who I know will be there.

My Email

Yankee Air Museum Photos

2018-01-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

With Bits and Pieces XX coming out on Airplane Geeks. I interview Kevin Walsh of the Yankee Air Museum, at Willow Run Airport in Michigan. You can listen to that here Airplane Geeks #484 Bits and Pieces XX

The WV-2 Warning Star and the B-52D Stratofortress

More of the outdoor displays with new fallen snow.

RF-84F Thunderflash

AN-2 Colt

WV-2/EC-121K Warning Star

Some of the displays in the current museum

The Museum will eventually move to the Ford Willow Run Plant

We also toured their Restoration Hangar with their flying collection

It was a good day!

Droning on Socially

2017-04-18T13:48:00.000-04:00

The UAS industry is growing in all directions—some of them expected, some surprising. For me, it’s the later, I should know: if you told me that I would have been recording my 180^th episode about drones when we started I would have said you were nuts. When I decided, I was sick of all the negativity surrounding drones, and didn’t feel comfortable talking about them on my primary podcast The Airplane Geeks Podcast, my Co-Host Max and I created The UAV Digest.

What Max and I didn’t know was, how much we didn’t know, nor how much of a journey we were starting. On one of our first episodes, we talked about AUVSI having their convention and the WiFi password was “DONTSAYDRONES.” How far we’ve come. It was emblematic of what I personally was seeing, the photo in the media next to the word drone, was always a Predator or Reaper, not just flying but firing a Hellfire at something. Now we have the hashtag #dronesforgood; we unabashedly use the word drone, and now it seems it’s always a quadcopter that shows up in the news—not the aforementioned military ones.

Max has often compared our current industry to that of the early PC world. We have no limits. There’s no one saying “that will never work!” Instead, for us, “that’s fun!” Yes, we have had more than our share of package delivery, and those high expectations, but we also find the peripherals interesting. Those might be 3-d printing, fuel cells, and Sense and Avoid technology that we find ourselves discussing each week. UAS is a disruptive technology and so we never know what we are going to learn.

I personally have learned more about legalities than I ever would care to admit. We’ve scrutinized, agonized and then were pleasantly surprised by Part 107. I am from a military background but the initials NPRM still makes me cringe a little. Yet, I think that as a whole the industry was successful working with the FAA and other administrators. That is not to say there still aren’t challenges, but we seem to be working through them.

I have said if 2016 was the year of regulation, I think 2017 will be the year of consolidation. That’s not a bad thing, its part of the process. Not everyone succeeds. Sony lost on Betamax, a fine example. Some consolidation is a good thing and healthy. For everyone that gets absorbed, there seems to be someone coming out of left field to shake things up. Again I think in the upcoming year we are going to talk more about Software and Peripherals and Sensors. That is where the industry is going in my opinion. Yes there will be more fixed wing and multi-rotor and combinations of both, but now it’s not how you fly but what you are flying.

Regulation is currently priming the pump. I think precision agriculture and inspections are so close to exploding as business, that those will be fun to watch. Max loves fuel cell technology, and how that might move from UAS technology to every day uses.

Lastly there’s always the stories that show the good in UAS, like the Kashmir Foundation, working with Sea Turtle conservation or stories of Drones teaching STEM, or the TATTS Foundation, helping Autistic children. Saving a life, finding a missing person. We need to focus on this some more. We all get bogged down with the latest and greatest quadcopter or angry that the FAA won’t let us fly near an airport. Some times we miss the point.

We have as an industry come a long way in a very short time. We should take a moment to reflect on that. Our world is changing fast but we’ve done well! I look forward to where we are going with excitement and optimism!

Dad’s Favorite Northrop P-61 Black Widow.

2017-04-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

You would think Dad would have liked the 130. He talked fondly Ol’ Shakey the C-124. . He liked Mustangs and Thunderbolts. When I was young, Dad would go to “School” which was Wright Patterson Air Force base, in Dayton Ohip. He would get a ½ day and go to the Museum to get postcards, for guess who. But there was one airplane he always talked about with great love.

The 125 was sitting doing picket duty off of Saipan, Dad was on sunset watch. He sat and watched black airplanes climb into the night sky. Those airplanes were P-61 Black Widows. Dad loved the Black Widow. I really can’t blame him. Its big! It’s black! It’s has four 20 MM guns and four 12.7 in a 360 degree turret. Its got two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp Radials. It’s a sexy beast!

You would think that someone who was Navy through and through would have liked Hellcats or Corsairs or Avengers. Nope Dad liked P-61s. Because of Dayton, and Dad, I love Black Widows. Now I am not sure of my love of Black airplanes stems from the P-61, but in my humble opinion the best colour for any air frame is black. Gloss Black.

I never did get to Dayton with Dad. He did love that I went frequently with my friends as an adult. I might not have ever gotten to see one with Dad, if it weren’t for this Podcast. Pilot Day 2014, Dad and his wife Carolyn came to the event to see me Blog. Dad never did understand the difference between the blog and podcasting it was all “your blog” Besides meeting the gang. I wheeled him over to something he needed to see. His Eyes lit up! There was a P-61, mind you the Smithsonian’s a little worse for wear, but Dad was happy.

The then told Carolyn the story he told me a hundred times over 40 plus years, how a young sailor stood watch, these radical black, bats would take off into the sunsets. How they looked and sounded awesome, and how awesome they were on “our side”

There are only four Black Widows left in the world. I think it’s cool that I have seen 75% of them. But I am really glad I got to see at least one of them with Dad.

Photo Friday: F/A-18A VMFA-321

2017-03-03T10:45:00.000-05:00

VMFA-321 was based at NAF Washington adjacent Andrews AFB. This was their command aircraft after they transitioned from the F-4S Phantom. Note the Tail you will see there are six stars arranged in 3 2 1 pattern. The squadron was knows as the Hell's Angels. The Squadron stood down in 2004.

Photo Friday CH-46 Phrog,

2017-02-24T12:24:00.001-05:00

This picture is from Andrews Air Force Base May 2001. Its one of my all time favorite photos.

Its a CH-46E EM 07, BuNo 153973 HMM-216 Ragin' Bulls which started life as a CH-46D.

I and my friend David were invited by VMA-231 Black Aces down to the hot line, The weather was awesomely foggy, What the two Marines are watching, was the only flying done that day. An AV-8B+ flew a "demo."

As the Harrier pilot was taxing on to the active the tower asked him where he was going? "Air Boss told me to go fly so I am!" The Harrier taxied out did a Short take off, came back around and hovered, spun, bowed and landed. Taxied back to the hot ramp. It was short but there was flying that day.

In the background of this picture is that Harrier hovering. I have always liked this photo and there are people in it.

T-Shirt Tuesday #16: 9th Fighter Squadron Flying Knights

2017-01-03T09:35:00.000-05:00

I like F-117s, So here's the second shirt in the 49th Wing at Holloman. The 9th Fighter Squadron. This is actually a F-117 shirt, unlike the 7th. You can find that Post Here I like the 9th cause of the Red trim colour which goes well on black jets. When ever I finish my F-117 it will be in 9th colours, Also I love the slogan on the breast patch "ONCE A KNIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH"

Happy New Year, Hello 2017, Goodbye 2016

2017-01-01T21:04:00.000-05:00

The first post of 2017! Happy New Year! Ok that’s out of the way.

2016 was a challenging year. I have been learning a great deal about myself.

To appease my #AvGeek friends here are my 2016 Stats

Three flights:

Two International E-175s

EWR to YYZ

YYZ to EWR

One open cockpit SNJ-2

ACY to ACY

Airlines Flown: Air Canada Express

Demonstration Teams Flown: GEICO Skytypers

One full can of coke and bag of Pretzels Consumed

One glass ( not given can) of Coke Zero

No in flight WIFI consumed, implemented David Vanderhoof Rule #2 and looked out the window.

A 300% increase in flights over 2015!

Goals for 2017 I want to get a flight in a Stearman. Anyone? Anyone want to take me up?

Thanks to a friend, I did start actually blogging again. I will forever be grateful for them getting me out of my funk. 58 Blog postings since July. Compared to one in 2015.

Looking ahead for 2017.

I have at least 10 books I owe reviews on that I need to get done.

I have some personal challenges to overcome.

In September I started therapy, I am ok with that, I need it.

I haven’t been the best Husband, Friend, Co-Host, Co-Worker since my surgery. I am very angry and unfocused. Today I was once again told that I am never happy, and all I do is complain.

I am not sure how to change that in the upcoming year?

I have friends that say “Grow a pair, and stand up for yourself!” Others say I need to be more open, and not so closed off.

Clearly I need to be less emotional, more rational.

Realize that myself worth is determined by me not by others.

That also means not taking responsibility when other people refuse, especially in work, and in podcasting.

Meaning saying NO! I am sorry but I can’t do that. Learn my co-workers favorite phrase “I don’t have the capacity!’

That in spite of what others say, being realistic and setting expectations is not being negative, if its they take it that way its not my problem.

I need to build a model! My really good friend says he has to build at least one a year. I need to get back on track with that. Even if its just one small 72^nd scale kit.

Continue to grow WJFB, and http://www.theUAVDigest.com let my co-hosts take more of the burden of Airplane Geeks. In fact I wonder if I left APG would I be missed?

2017 again will be a journey; I hope you’ll continue to join me on this adventure.

Photo Friday: Peace and quiet at the Lake

2016-12-30T16:49:00.000-05:00

Flew to visit my Brother and his family, for an escape. They have a house on Lake Simcoe, 72 Km north of Toronto. Here are some of the shots over the last couple of days. All taken by my iPhone.

This might be the last post of 2016, So Cheers and thank you for reading!

Photo Phiday: Bye Bye QF-4s

2016-12-23T16:10:00.001-05:00

Wednesday was the final flight of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom in US Service. I have been chasing around QF-4s for years now. As they appeared in Heritage Flights.

Good Bye Ol' Phriend!

T-Shirt Tuesday #15; VFA-15 Valions Heritage

2016-12-20T11:56:00.000-05:00

Back to heritage shirts and for 15 this seems appropriate. Another one from NAS Oceana. VFA-15 is not my favorite squadron, this was I liked the shirt. It was also very colourful. TBDs, and the A-4C with the Gulf of Tonkin it's a cool history. The Spad is in Oceana's Heritage Park.

Unfortunately VFA-15 is scheduled to be disbanded in 2017

UPDATE On December 22, 2016 VFA-15 completed its last flying mission.

Rogue One: Star Wars got Better!

2016-12-18T15:47:00.000-05:00

Most people assume that Star Wars is my favorite movie. Its not. My favorite movie is Mr. Roberts, Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Holden and Jack Lemon floating around the south pacific trying to catch up to the war on the U.S.S. Reluctant.

That being said Star Wars will always be a close second. I have already written about my love for a droid. R2-D2 a friend for life! But I love Star Wars, and no its not EPISODE IV: A New Hope. It’s Star Wars! Fan Wisdom says Empire Strikes Back is the best out of the seven movies. For me it’s Star Wars. Most people know, Star Wars has had a huge affect on me. To say I could almost recite the whole movie verbatim might not be an understatement.

So that brings me to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The best way I can describe my feelings is my favorite Star Wars Movie just got two hours longer. The biggest complement I can give Rogue One is it made me want to watch Star Wars when I got home. (Thankfully TNT was running it.) I wanted to see all that effort come to the conclusion of two photon torpedoes being shot down the vent to cause a chain reaction.

Rogue One is the movie, that as I as child fought in my back yard with Kenner Action Figures. Yes I love the characters but, as an #AVGEEK I was in love with the spaceships. George is a child of the same war movies as me. I knew what a dogfight was, there just wasn’t enough of it in Star Wars. My X-wing would blow the panels off the TIE on a regular basis. Missions were undertaken to capture or rescue something or someone. Landspeeders raced across the desert, chasing Dewbacks The Millennium Falcon acted as a cross between a B-29 and C-47, it always could multitask.

So now 40 years later I got those backyard memories back. We have Stormtroopers that can hit stuff. We have Rebels acting like soldiers, we have explosions, we have the story of those plans that were so vital to the Alliance. They came at a cost, which made watching Luke fly down the trench for the Nth time have more weight than it had in a very long time. That says a great deal. Most would argue that the Prequels didn’t really add anything to the first trilogy, I still don’t know how to feel about that still. Rogue One made STAR WARS better!

IF YOU HAVENT SEEN THE MOVIE STOP HERE! The post will be here when you have.

There are a lot of reviews of the movie said there was to much pandering to the fans. Well I squeed with glee as my beloved R2 and Goldenrod showed up. Anthony had only one line, but the man I had martinis with once was in the movie, so yes it officially a Star Wars movie!

As much I found BB-8 annoying and a second rate Artoo, K-2SO was a droid to admire. He was humor and a hero. Alan Tudyk made him as likable and as annoying as Threepo. He’s a perfect addition to the cannon.

I punched the air though when the Roll call of Red Leader and Gold Leader crackled over the air. That Red 2 was racking up his total, that would be the greatest X-wing pilot Wedge Antillies, if you don’t know. These hero’s of the battle of Yavin IV, were in their prime. Again you feel more for their losses in Episode IV, these are seasoned veterans who are giving their all for what they believe. They were the aces of my childhood, as much as Anderson, Yeager, Marseille, Thatch or Boyington were.

X-wings, Y-wings and add that new favorite ship the U-Wing, all made the movie, and they weren’t those dumb split wing T-70s of Episode VII. These were my Star Wars Ships, my childhood all over.

So Mr. Edwards well done. You made me, and little David Martin very happy.

May the Force be with you . . . Always.

As a side script. My friend David is building a F-14A Tomcat with his and my name on the canopy rails. I am his RIO. We’re both wearing Orange Flight Suits. Yesterday I realized how appropriate that is, I would be wearing a Orange flight suit in my X-wing also.

Playing Catch up! T-shirt Tuesday #14, Photo Friday with thanks to John T. Daniels

2016-12-17T13:59:00.000-05:00

The Wright Flyer 1 as it appears at the National Air and Space Museum in DC

Well this week has been really stressful. Earlier in the week I caught something that caused me to be flat on my back Sunday Night through Tuesday. So much so I didn't even record geeks for this week. But like everything about life this time of year, on problem leads to another as the dominoes fall. So here is the catch up.

Today the 17th of December I am going off to see Rogue One a Star Wars Story. To show I am a true fan here is me in my R2-D2 shirt. So there's T-shirt Tuesday done.

Also that today is December 17th the Anniversary of the FIRST controlled powered flights by man flown by Orville and Wilbur Wright.

So in honor of that day here are some of my photos from the site of that event.

There is a documented place where it happened.

Most people don't realize they did it four times that day! Here's number 4!

Lastly here I am next to my hero in bronze John T. Daniels . Without him, I could not on a regular basis, go to those Nay Sayers! Show me the photo!

Sorry Richard Pearce, Gustave Whitehead, no photo no flight!

T-Shirt Tuesday #13 7th Fighter Squadron Screamin' Demons

2016-12-06T10:43:00.000-05:00

A T-Shirt that is about the 7th and has 1941 seems appropriate for the day before we remember the 75th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Attack.

The 49th Tactical/ Fighter Wing/ Wing has always been a favorite of mine. The 1941 comes from when the 7th Pursuit Squadron stood up in P-35s in January of 1941. The top silhouette, the last aircraft flown was the F-22A Raptor. But most importantly they flew the F-117A Nighthawk the stealth fighter.

The shirt was given to me by my friend Rob Burgeon a Raptor Pilot. Whom I still owe beverages to. One of the other reasons this is good timing Rob just released Piano Burning, and other Fighter Pilot Traditions. I have read one of the drafts and I highly recommend it.

Check out Rob's site Tally One and order Piano Burning on Amazon

Photo Friday: Stearmans

2016-12-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Anyone who's been to this blog knows the Stearman has been its logo for years. I like them! I like the sound of them. I like they come in all colours. I also like they are in two of my closet, favorite movies Disney's the Kid & Independence Day . Also my blog aspired my friend Jeff to build one See Here

Stearmans are cool, now I just need to go fly in one!

The BT-13 that made this blog famous!

T-Shirt Tuesday 12: Politically incorrect B-52!

2016-11-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you just have to make a statement. The first time I saw this, I had to have it! I also like the fact that it is a tall tail B-52D. SAC "Peace is our profession"

Photo Friday: Black Friday Talons

2016-11-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Black Friday!

The day after Thanksgiving here in the States. The day people can't wait to get their Talons on some new ridiculous item. See what I did there? So to celebrate going into the black, here are CTP black T-38 Talons over the years. The Companion Training Program (CTP) supports special mission aircraft and provides additional time for pilots.

The Iron Men at Joint Base Langley/Eustis are aggressor for the 1st Fighter Wing

T-38C 1st RS 9th RW Beale AFB supporting U-2 opperations

T-38B of the 71st Fighter Training Squadron 1st Fighter Wing Langley

393rd BS 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB home of the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber

AT-38B 7th FTS 49th FW Holloman AFB just look at the tail to figure out what they supported.

And so I don't get accused of being partial to black jets. Here is the Seymor-Johnson AFB T-38A in AMC Grey as a Post Script! Grey Jets Matter Also!

T-Shirt Tuesday #11: IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL THE FAT BOY SINGS!

2016-11-22T08:30:00.000-05:00

Every T-Shirt tells a story. Well as we come up on the Retail Season, I remember all those days of putting in long hours at the Franklin Mint. One of the nice things about my job was I could do "Outside Events" which were shows the rest of the year. Car shows, SciFi Cons, and Bike Shows. Actually Harley Davidson was a huge product line. Besides the diecast bikes, we had watches, and scupltures and dolls. We had Candy the Harley Davidson Biker Babe and Bobby the Harley baby both were proudly displayed below!

I spent many hours with my boss Nic. He was the one who purchased this shirt for me. A XXL. A joke for the very large tenor who used to sing in the car. These days I could swim in the shirt but it still makes me smile.

Yes for a period of my life in my early 20s I spent running around the country selling dolls and "Cold Cast Crap"