I miss my drum set ;(

Hmmm

Before we fly we have to check the current weather conditions and area forecasts through an FAA web site which you have to log into with a username and password assigned to you by the FAA. Well today when I logged in I had the following message pop up which I thought was kind of interesting.

spawn telnet 10.131.32.102
Trying 10.131.32.102...

Connected to 10.131.32.102.

Escape character is '^]'.

GTE Contel DUAT System

Session number: 00585


Enter DUAT access code -or- last name:
Enter your password:

Transaction number: 016706
Sat Jan 14 18:58:00 2006 (UTC)

Welcome to the DynCorp DUAT System

***********************************************************************
**********************NOTICE******NOTICE******NOTICE**************
* The U.S. Government continues to receive credible indications that
extremist individuals are planning additional terrorist operations
against U.S. and Western interests within the U.S. and overseas. Such
operations, possibly involving civil and general aviation (GA) aircraft,
could be carried out whenever attack preparations are complete and
operatives are in place. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
has no credible information concerning specific targets, timing, or
methods of attack. However, the GA community should observe good
physical security for aircraft and facilities and be continuously on the
lookout for suspicious persons, activities, and operations around airports.

* Terrorists who are no longer able to hijack commercial airliners because
of increased security at commercial airports may turn to GA airports and
aircraft to conduct operations.

* The TSA asks members of the GA community to report all unusual and
suspicious activities. If you observe persons, aircraft, and operations
that do not fit the customary pattern at your airport, you should
immediately advise law enforcement authorities.

* Your immediate action is requested for these items:
- Secure unattended aircraft to prevent unauthorized use.
- Verify the identification of crew and passengers prior to departure.
- Verify that baggage and cargo are known to the persons on board.
- Where identification systems are in place, encourage employees to
wear proper identification and challenge persons not wearing proper
identification.

* Increased vigilance should be directed toward the following:
- Aircraft with unusual or unauthorized modifications.
- Persons loitering in the vicinity of aircraft or air operations areas.
- Persons who appear to be under stress or the control of other persons.
- Persons whose identification appears altered or inconsistent.
**********************NOTICE******NOTICE******NOTICE*******************
* With Aviation Security the primary issue in the United States today
the FAA has issued the following WARNING which is directed at
unauthorized users, abusers, and hackers and is not meant to
discourage legitimate users in any way. DUATS is a free FAA
sponsored service to pilots, dispatchers and others authorized by
the FAA. Legitimate users are encouraged to use DUATS as much as
needed and without reservation.

I wonder if anyones reported me for always telling everyone that I only want to learn to fly large aircraft once their in the air with no regard to takeoff or landing?

Goodbye to Two Years

I tend to be kind of a pack-rat when it comes to files on my computer. I tend to keep stuff (essays, pictures, email messages, etc.) forever in case I ever need to go back and look something up. Well today I had to do something to free up some space since my HD is now below 1 GB so I decided to nuke 2 years worth of saved email messages; 2768 to be exact. I don't know why it was so hard for me, but it was. And so in the memory of my fallen message brethren I decided to make this post as a tribute to their honor. God speed my friends... God speed.

Yet Another

Yet another comic strip from my favorite, yet currently unknown comic. If anyone knows who this guy is, please let me know. I just keep running across his comics on Myspace.

First Flight

Well I'm hoping my first flight was not a sign for things to come. As most of you know today, after completing my instructor ground school and simulator training was supposed to be my first flight. Unfortunately that never happened, and here is why.

So I fill out all the paperwork at dispatch (this is the building at the airport where we sign planes in/out, check weather, etc) and head out to pre-flight the plane with my instructor. The first thing we notice is that the strobes aren't working, now on a side note any time anything is out of ordinary with the aircraft there is a complex system we have to go through to report it and then verify that it is still considered safe to fly without said equipment. Luckily in our case of not having strobes, it was. So after 10 minutes to report the strobes we continue our pre-flight. At this point I notice that the engine oil is low, so we have to walk to the maintenance hanger, get the oil, fill the engine and then take the oil back. Again, this takes another 10 minutes. We complete pre-flight and hop into the plane to begin our before engine start checklist when I notice one of the annunciators (a light/warning system that will notify you if a certain system is malfunctioning) is broken into pieces. And so once again we have to radio maintenance back over to the plane and spend 15 more minutes changing out the annunciator. By now we should have left the ground about 40 minutes ago and all of this time is being deducted from my actual flight time since my instructor has another student after me. Well finally we get to the engine start checklist and I turn the key. What happens? Nothing. Well to be fair the prop turns about a half-rotation and then stops. I try cranking about 3 more times before we finally throw in the towel due to a dead battery.

The point of this story is that for my very first flight as the primary pilot of an airplane. Nothing works. I'll take this as a sign that I shouldn't be flying but a sign I will ignore none the less. I'll be back in the cockpit on Wednesday to try the whole thing over again. This was a very rare set of circumstances for planes that are so meticulously maintained.

Wish me luck!

Beginnings

Well tomorrow at 9 am marks my first day in the Mesa Pilot Development program, and the beginning of my new life; and I couldn't be any more excited. To think that within a week I'll be flying, and within a year I'll be getting paid to fly still amazes me. Being a pilot has been a life long dream for me, and tomorrow I take my first step towards my dream.

My new house is incredible. It is literally brand new. As of two weeks ago there wasn't even any carpet or doors. I'm finally done unpacking and now it's starting to feel like home. We live directly across the airport under one of the main landing patterns which is really cool for us because we're starting to get an idea for what the different planes sound like and can peek our heads out to see what's landing if we hear something interesting. The sound isn't loud either, more of a soft hum when a prop is flying in. The jets tend to make a little bit more noise.

As of now I only have one other roommate. Since we have a four bedroom house we need to find two more. The house is going to be a pilot house and we're only allowed to rent it out to other pilots in the program so we're hoping to find a few more guys at the orientation dinner at the Mesa hanger tomorrow night. My current roommates name is Ben and he's from Phoenix. He's a cool guy and we have similar interests when it comes to hanging out, movies, partying, etc. so I think we're going to have a lot of fun. Plus it's nice to always have a study partner around.

I'm starting to like Farmington. It's not that I ever hated it, but I always thought of it as a small town and I've never been big on small towns. Now that I've lived here a few days though I'm starting to think otherwise. The mall is huge, nearly as big as the ones in Salt Lake, and there is every store you could imagine (i.e. Target, Wal Mart, Best Buy, etc.) if you need something. One things for sure, I'm not in Utah anymore. You can buy full percentage beer and alcohol nearly everywhere. They even have delivery liquor stores so you can just call in and order your booze; 10 minutes later, it arrives. The bars are also a lot more liberal here. On New Years Eve the bartenders kept buying drinks for people at the bar and then drinking with them, it was awesome.

So basically what I'm trying to say is I think I'm going to like it here. I've got an unbelievable house, a great roommate, a cool town and I'm beginning to live my life long dream. Yes kids, life is good. Life is good...

A Simple Equation

Props to JP for this one...

Lack of Updates

Sorry for the lack of updates. As of 3 days ago I moved to Farmington, New Mexico and have since been busy unpacking and getting settled. I'll make a few huge posts detailing everything and uploading photos and video soon, so check back soon. Also, we haven't had DSL installed yet so I have to leech off of our neighbors open wireless network.

However, here is a quick update for the time being:

- My new house is amazing!

- My roommate Ben seems awesome and I think we'll have a really good time.

- My original roommate David won't be coming anymore due to some loan problems.

- School starts Jan 3.

- I'm still not 100% done unpacking, but I'm getting close.

- I really need to go to the grocery store.

15 Reasons I WIll No Longer Need a Woman

* Airplanes usually kill you quickly; a woman takes her time.

* Airplanes can be turned on by a flick of a switch.

* Airplanes don't get mad if you do a "touch and go."

* Airplanes don't object to a pre-flight inspection.

* Airplanes come with a manual to explain their operation.

* Airplanes have strict weight and balance limitations.

* Airplanes can be flown at any time of the month.

* Airplanes don't come with in-laws.

* Airplanes don't care about how many other airplanes you've flow before.

* Airplanes and pilots both arrive at the same time.

* Airplanes don't mind if you look at other airplanes.

* Airplanes don't mind if you buy airplane magazines.

* Airplanes expect to be tied down.

* Airplanes don't comment on your piloting skills.

* However, when airplanes go quiet, just like women, it's usually not good.

Job Opening

I wish JP would update his blog more often.

Guttermouth...

...was amazing! I couldn't have picked a better last show before I leave. I'll post the pictures/videos I took tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow. Free snowboarding. Woo hoo!!! Park City Mountain Resort, here I come...

Forgetting to carry the 1 is a mistake...

This gave me a good laugh. I would like to buy this guy a beer.

---------------------

Brad,

It would be difficult for me to be any more miserable right now, I feel like the worst person ever. First, let me start by saying that I am truly truly sorry, and I hate myself for hurting you. Of all the people in the whole entire world, you were honestly the last person that I would ever want to wrong in any way. There is no excuse at all or anything that happened, so I won't even try other than to say all of us had WAY too much to drink, and I did a stupid thing. I can handle you being pissed at me, I absolutely deserve it, I can even handle the ugly words that were exchanged between us, what I can't handle is thinking that you see me as a different person.

It is weird, I feel like I just went through a horrible break up or something. The world looked funny yesterday, I couldn't crack a smile if you paid me, there are songs I can't listen to, and I just feel beyond crushed. I don't know if you meant everything you said to me, and I am hoping that you didn't. I know that I was wrong on many levels, but I am also hoping that this is something that we can deal with. I know it sounds totally crazy and stupid, but you have come to play such a significant role in my life, I can't imagine my days without you.

It is totally strange and weird to say that, and you could say that my behavior didn't reflect that, and you would be correct. I hate feeling like you hate me, and I hate feeling like all of your friends think I am a terrible person, because I am not. I know there is nothing I can Say or do to take back what happened, but I just want you to know that fighting with you was just about the worst thing I could have ever imagined. It was right up there with one of the ugliest nights of my life, and I would give anything in the world to rewind and fix it. I am not sure if you will respond to this, part of me thinks that you won't. If not today, then maybe some other time.

Also, thanks for getting my stuff together, although I think my sunglasses are still at your house, if you could keep your eyes peeled for them that would be great. I can't even focus or work today, I can't eat, I seriously feel like it was an ugly break up, and I am hoping against hopes that it was not that and you are not done with me. Please don't cut me off, I really don't think I can handle that.

I am so sorry.
Elizabeth

------------------------------------

RESPONSE:

Dear Elizabeth,

Thank you for your concern. I'll be sure to file it away under "L" for "Long-winded diatribes from drunken whores I couldn't care less about".

You did a stupid thing huh? No...doing long division and forgetting to carry the one is "a stupid thing"; Mixing in a red sock with a load of whites is "a stupid thing"; Blowing some guy in a bathroom for 45minutes while I sit at the bar wondering if you're taking so long because you ate too much bran that morning isn't as much a "Stupid thing" as it is grounds for permanent removal from my social calendar.

To be honest, I'm not sure if it was more amusing that you went and degraded yourself in a public toilet not once but twice in a 2 hour span, or that you seemed to think that by saying "Well, I didn't F**k him" somehow gave you a clean slate. So forgive me if I couldn't care less if the world "looked funny" to you yesterday. Since your world revolves around blow dryers, golden retrievers, Prada Bags and Jelly Beans, I'm sure it must have been most unsettling to actually have to consider someone else's feelings for 24 hours straight. The good news for you is that my friends don't think you're a terrible person, they just think you're the average run of the mill cum-guzzling blonde who commands about as much respect as your average child porn collector. I could be wrong but, it's pretty hard to respect some B&T chick who comes out to spend the night at my place even though she's seeing someone else in New jersey and winds up tongue-bathing the taint of anyone who decides 30 minutes of droning commentary on Colin Farrell's new
haircut is worth putting up with for a hand job in the men's room. The good thing about being a guy is that when I eventually bump into the young lad who finger-blasted you on top of a towel dispenser last saturday, we'll have a shot and laugh our heads off about the time it happened.

By the way, for the amount of time you claim to spend in spin class you really must be doing something wrong to sport the thunder thighs you do. Watching you parade around my bedroom in a thong was a little like watching sea lions mate. Thought you might like to know.

PS. I forwarded about 100 people on this email.

Talk to you never,

Brad

iSight

Well I finally went out and bought something I've been meaning to buy for quite awhile now, an Apple iSight webcam. I've been wanting one for awhile, and now that I'm only a couple weeks from leaving I figured I better get one soon. So now, if you have a webcam (which I know most of you don't, so you should get one) we can video conference while I am down in New Mexico.

I primarily use AIM, but I log on to Microsuck Messenger every now and then as well. If you don't already know, my usernames are as follows:

AIM: aimnofxslc
MS Messenger: nofxslc@hotmail.com

As I said earlier, if you don't already have a web cam you should get one, you can get cheapies for under $20.

Now, who's down for strip poker?!?!?

Dude

Wow, my last two blog posts really make me seemed depressed. As a matter of fact I've gotten 4 calls in the past few days from friends who had read my blog and were wondering if I'm ok. Which, by the way, I thank you guys for!

The fact of the matter, however, is that I'm fine. Let's just say this much, sometimes breaking up is hard to do. Oh well, shit happens, right?

Fuck it dude, let's go bowling...

I am so sick of this shit. Once and for all, leave. It's obviously too hard, so quit being selfish and give up once and for all.

Admit defeat.

Crestfallen

5 am and I'm still awake.

This is what happens when people are reckless with very fragile things.

Sad

I didn't need to see this... While reading some NOFX posts on Myspace I stumbled upon this profile. The basic story seems to be boy & girl fall in love - girl leaves boy for someone else - boy kills himself. It's not the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last.

Love is one of the strongest emotions a person can experience, and when you love someone that doesn't love you back it can cause so much pain, that death seems like the only escape. Never underestimate the power of love.

My Big Hot Hose

In about an hour I just replaced a hard to reach coolant hose in my car that they wanted over $200 to fix at the shop.

This goes to show what a ripoff mechanics are. Learn to do it yourself and save yourself some benjamins!

The Scientist

This pain and confusion is not caused by a fist, knife, or gun. The cause is something completely intangible and misunderstood. Hence why it is so confusing for me. I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to solve this problem which won't seem to go away. Each idea is an experiment that I must conduct, hoping that it leads to a solution [resolution]. Unfortunately it hasn't yet.

Recently I began yet another trial. One which I really hoped was going to be successful, but it seems to be failing. And now I'm thinking it may be time to abort. I'm running out of time. I'm less than 3 weeks I leave Salt Lake City and with it, what I feel are most of the solutions to my problem.

I just don't know what to do anymore.