No Compassion

This article hit a bit close to home.

Thankfully, Ellicia never had to endure quite this level of indignity, though... there were some difficulties and lack of compassion going through airport security. And then, there was this incident.

I empathize for this woman and all the difficulties she's going through... and that which is yet to come.

And perhaps, just perhaps, as we continue to search for the next terrorist who might make an attack on us using aircraft... (instead of maybe checking and securing the border...) we'll show a bit of compassion and common sense.

I understand the TSA agents getting a bit jaded. I can only imagine the feeling of superiority that comes after hours and hours, day in and day out, reminding people who've passed three to four different signs, been advised in person, been pre-checked, and are probably even familiar with the multiple jokes about what you can and cannot take on an airliner... that they can't bring the liquid, the nail clippers, or the chainsaw onboard the aircraft. Yes, the flying public can no doubt be dense, incomprehensibly difficult to deal with, and several other lovely descriptions...

BUT...

That's the public, and we need to remember to step back and treat each individual as we'd want to be treated ourselves.

Sam the Bell-Hop

Now, for a break...

This is a nice tale told by Bill Malone, a magician.

Enjoy!

Thought I'd share some pictures

I wanted to share some recent pictures... some snapshots of moments in life.


Thomas working on his latest masterpiece.



Peeking out from a neighbor's play fort... Young sentry ensuring all is safe on his watch.

or

Something really neat, like maybe a squirrel!, caught his attention.






Sometimes the best part of a day is just enjoying a few minutes on a swing...

Hero Saluting Heroes

Recently, you'll recall the tragic deaths of the 9 Charleston firefighters.

They were buried a few days ago. It was a major event, as thousands upon thousands poured out to say good-bye. Fire departments from all over the world, I hear, sent representatives to give their respects.

And along the route that the hearses drove, many more lined the streets, giving a final farewell to these heroes.

Including one of mine.

Just so happens someone caught this picture...

8 Simple Rules...

ABC Family channel has recently started airing "8 Simple Rules (for Dating my Teenage Daughter)".

Wow.

I missed this show when it came around, and only caught a few episodes on AFN.

It is so refreshing. No language. No gratuitous ________. Still deals with "issues" and still presents entertaining episodes... Just fun. Don't have to worry about holding the remote in case the episode goes out of control...

And I miss John Ritter. While I could do without almost all of his efforts on "Three's Company", I find several of his later works to be entertaining. I remember hearing when he died (I was in formation at AIT) and being very sad.

It airs at 1800 - 1900 on ABC Family... go and enjoy... I record it and it is a nice respite for me.

(Followed by my guilty indulgence of "Whose Line is it Anyway?". I roll all around the floor laughing during this show. Anyone else? Who's your favorite? Ryan? Colin? Greg? Drew? Wayne? Laura Hall? Or one of the lesser featured ones? Don't know who/what I'm writing about? You are at a giant loss...)

Military Motivator

Ok, folks, friends... take a look over here at Military Motivator.

We all know those cheesy, annoying, unmotivating motivational posters hung in hallways and offices of middle managers everywhere.

Well, leave it to the military to do it differently... and arguably, better.

Enjoy.

Heroes

You've seen it on the news. 9 firefighters died in a fire in Charleston, SC. I know the store... shopped in it. Didn't buy anything, but that's beside the point.

These firefighters went INTO the building... a building on fire... a building that everyone inside was desperate to leave. They went IN. And rescued those inside. They were outside. And they went back in to make sure everyone else was out.




And then the roof collapsed.

Heroes walk amongst us, and so often, we never know their names until they're just a picture.

I urge you all... learn the name of a hero... before they become a picture. We all know Paris Hilton's name... Britney, Insert Favorite Sport Star Here, etc... Learn the name of a hero in your community... they're walking right amongst us, silently, no attention, no press... but they're there.

Father's Day

Very disappointing this year... just wasn't the same, really.

It started off nicely. M came and woke me up with several sweet "Happy Father's Day."

Afterwards, I went to take a shower, and that's where it went downhill...

While in the shower, the munchkins ate my Daddy's Day present that M had given me. And lied about it... of course, because that's one of the fundamental rules of being a kid, right?

Yesterday, it was coloring on the window sill... today, the carpet.

We left the house, and started with a few errands on the way to Daddy's Day lunch at the Waffle House. Kids tag-teaming their screaming and screaching the whole way there...

Came back, and it just continues...

Yay.

M's lying has gotten atrocious... she lies about everything and seems to beg to want to get in trouble... is fishing for negative attention when I'm eager to give her good attention.

Very frustrating day.

This gets easier, right?

Prosti-totting Our Kids

Went shopping in Wallyworld... wanted to find some new shoes for the lil' girl since she's apparently GROWN!

No luck on the shoes.

However, I saw the opportunity to replace some worn out clothes and, to my horror, came across...

Size 4/5 (Girls) Low-rider jeans! WHAT?! Listen, my little girl doesn't have anything to be low-riding anyway, but why are we doing that to our girls?

There will come a time when sexiness and such is shoved down their throat everywhere they go... can't they just be little girls for right now? They'll never get another chance...

Disgusting.

Rare, Unexpected, Opportunity

You never know what's coming next in life.

My Army career is now at four years plus. I'm in Army Aviation, and I'm trained as a helicopter repairer...

Yet, in my career thus far, I've not flown in an Army helicopter. The ones I work on don't have room for anyone but pilots. (It should be noted that I, like many others I'm sure, would have been MORE than happy to strap onto a wing pylon for a flight, but pesky Army regs... plus, the Safety brief would have taken days and I can only imagine the Risk Assessment!)

My current job incarnation has me being a driver (and pseudo-aide) to my Colonel and Command Sergeant Major (and other VIPs as designated). As such, I tend to go where they go (guess I should be nicknamed "AAFES").

Anyways, there was a large military event being hosted by a local high school. They'd invited all the branches, and the various recruiting commands were lending support. Our school had been asked to see if we could coordinate some helicopters to come by. We have no flyable equipment - it wouldn't be a good school for repairers if it all worked, right? - so we couldn't directly contribute. However, we're good Soldiers, and phone calls were made, and helicopters arranged.

Amazingly enough, all the paperwork went through, and no one nixed the plan. On Tuesday, I drove the survey team out to the location. Not a large landing area, but it'd be directly in front of the high school. The kids would love it. At the time, we thought the COL might come out, but when I asked him, he said he probably would not, as he wasn't expected to speak, and besides... he is very busy.

Wednesday, I was sick. Hospitalized briefly. Bad. Ugh. But, over it, and ok now.

Went to work on Thursday, expecting another routine day. Picked up the daily calendar and began the brief with the executive secretary. Observed that within the hour, it was listed as "Flight to Jamestown HS".

Flight?

Eh?

F-l-i-g-h-t???

See, our Colonel is retiring soon, and I guess he'd chewed it over, and decided he'd like one last flight in an Army helicopter. As it happened, we would be using the General's bird, a UH-1 "Huey" (rent any Vietnam flick, and you'll see it... it's the one all the Soldiers are leaping out of... see "We Were Soldiers"), and he'd flown it once upon a time...

So, I quickly map out the day, plan the logistics of the schedule, and quickly find myself at the airfield.

For today would be special... it'd be the Colonel's last flight in Army Aviation... and my first!

We had a pilot assigned, a crew chief, and for the passengers, it was the Colonel (in the Copilot seat up front) and the Command Sergeant Major and the Specialist in the back.

Doors open... we take off. Smooth as silk.

Beginning altitude of 500 feet, climbing to 1500. A little over 120 MPH. I'm having a BLAST.

My duty for the mission is to photograph the Colonel. As many pics as possible. I can't help but look out the window, and just enjoy it. The air as we cruise through the air, and the breeze coming from the giant ceiling fan up top... and being able to just lean out into the slipstream... The doors are open, I'm held in by all of one single seatbelt (with an amazingly minor latch)... and I'm not afraid a bit.

On the return flight, I even toyed with just dangling my feet out the door. Was an amazing rush.

And I can't thank my Command too much. It was an honor and a priviledge to go flying, and to participate in the Colonel's final flight (and wetting down).

Below are pictures of me preparing to fly (the photographer is the CSM) and our "Last Flight/First Flight" photo. Who has the bigger smile?

In the Company of...

A friend sent me a link. I went to check and was shocked. It seems to be a nice project, and... I couldn't believe I was among those pictured.

It feels so strange to be in the company of these heroes... I guess I still have problems resolving in my head where my life has taken me.

But, am honored, and proud. And when I look at that particular picture, the memories come back in a flood.

Thank you, friend.

Trying to Explain What I See

On a recent flight, I found myself staring out the window... entranced as usual, and lost in the wonder.

Suddenly, I found these words flowing into my head. As is usually true when I write, there is no rough draft, it just flows to me.

I haven't developed a title yet, but here is what came to me:

This is where I come to pray
When too oft my soul has bled;
Where Angels like to fingerpaint
And mortals fear to tread.

The Temple is so endlessly vast,
There are no walls to see -
Yet there arise many rooms,
Some as small as me.

I do not reach out to touch
The face that belongs to Him,
For the Peace I feel here is so clear,
Even as the world feels very dim.

Few tend to take the time to see
This Heavenly Temple just above;
Our lives in which we self absorb
Bereft of this endless Love.

For when we climb into the Temple
Casting off the fears from below
Is when we see through His eye
Amazing Beauty we'd ne'er know.

The Temple is where the Angels gather
And unleash their creative flow -
Brushing playfully through the sky with clouds
Or at times a lone rainbow.

Here in this place so Holy
My soul relearns to soar
Lift'd aloft on an Eagle's wing
Wounds Healed; Bleeding no more.

This is where I come to pray
When my soul yearns to cry
Of Pain! Of Joy! It's here I pray...
In these Cathedrals of the Sky.

(c) 2007


As I said, title still in works. But, this is what I see. And how I feel about flying. It's where I feel most at peace in the world.

(Comments and critique invited. Curious what y'all think. Thank you for reading.)