You can take the Boy out of the Country but not the Country out of the boy!

I'm sitting at the airport waiting on my airplane. Yet another trip to Montreal. I froze my butt off last time. Not really! It's still back there.

My french is no good but I think "sortie" means "exit" since the door behind this side took me outside to where the temperature just simply "hurt".

They guys I am working with have been teaching me French. I'm not certian the words they are teaching me are good words. They have taught me how to order beer, call people names and I'm not sure what the other phrase is but people seem to look puzzled when I say it. It's been a blast going so many times but I'm about ready for the trips to come to an end.

Don't Worry...He would not get you today!

I took a picture of this guy back in October. He was not happy about my being there. My wife nearly got bit by his brother. We left quickly. Today, He would not be a threat. It's cold here. The area to the north of us have received 2 or more inches of ice. Power lines are down all over the place. Fortunately for us we didn't get any ice but it sure has turned cold.

In case you are wondering what has happened to me, I've just been too busy. Next week I am flying a helicopter from Johnson City, TN back home. Long helicopter trips, me and the weather always seem to have a problem communicating and cooperating. Hopefully God will smile on me this trip and I will get home quickly.

The week after next, I'm off to Quebec. The people I am going to see promises a snowmobile trip. That would rock! I've never been on a snowmobile.

If any of the old standby's are still checking this stale blog, please commit. I would like to hear from you.

Live from the Midwest!

I am still here. Because I am doing two jobs I really don't have time to even turn around. I have went from 4 helicopters in my old shop to running 8 lines of production in my new facility. I have also been selected to work with Bell Helicopter on a project to upgrade the model of helicopter we currently use. It looks like I will travel to Montreal between 18 and 20 times in the next year and a half. Working with a manufacturer is a huge opportunity that will look swell on my resume to boot. Overall I'm completely stoked about that.

The family is doing well. Baseball and T-Ball are occupying three nights a week now but is very worthwhile. Bub hit the winning RBI last game and Hannah is really doing well at T-Ball.

Thanks for the faithful few who check in periodically! I will try to do better in blogland soon.

I'm Back in the Saddle Again

Thats Right!!! The ban has been lifted for Howdy. I took a check ride on Tuesday and was deemed worthy of flying helicopters again. Then when I thought that it really couldn't get any better, I was asked which helicopter we would be sending to Oshkosh for the EAA Flyin. When I responded I also said that I would of course be an excellent choice to fly the helicopter there and babysit it for the whole week of the Meca of Airshows. I got the gig. I pinched myself. I have always dreamed of flying into Oshkosh and now it looks like I will finally get to check another thing off of the list....but wait....just a couple of posts/months ago I was going to get to check Alaska off of the list.

Bad Hair Day

Not only was this a bad hair day but I've also had a bad hair month. Changes as work have left me responsible for our Conversion Hanger. This is a major challenge to say the least such that it has induced a bad hair month. I think, even if I were to employ a full time stylist that the bad hair days will continue.

On a much happier note the Family and I took a brief trip to Arkansas to visit some of Cristy's relatives. We were able to take some family shots. We had a very good time.

Fingers Crossed!

That's right...my fingers are crossed so hard that they are starting to hurt. They tell me that I'm going to need a jacket because it's brisk where I'm going. I have a helicopter to look at in Alaska. I hope to cross off another Item on the "Do Before I Die List".

Old Farts!

The one on the left is named Joe. Joe taught me to fly. The one on the right is named DAD. Dad taught me everything else...at least the things I needed to know. They are about the smartest "Old Farts" that I know. Joe thaught me how to stay out of trouble in an airplane. Dad taught me how to stay out of trouble at life. I'm greatly indebted to both of them. They both wear their pants a little higher these days...and complain about the government too, but if you will take the time to listen you can still learn the most important lessons. Another Old Fart that I know stated it the best when he said..."It's what I learned, after I already knew it all, that helped the most".

On another note, I haven't posted in awhile because the computer nazis caught me. I had to "cool off" a little.

Acronyms are of the Devil!

Sunday I left SGF for DFW on an ERJ with a 1:10 min. ETA. At DFW I attended an AAMS conference concerning NVG's. The FAA and NTSB were there to help us. NVG's are an awesome thing but I found out were to only be an enhancement in VMC conditions and can be dangerous if VMC degrades to IMC if you know what I mean. Now comes the ultra cool part of the whole trip. We stepped into a meeting with Flight Safety International to talk about CRM training. At the conclusion I asked....do you have any full motion simulators. A few minutes later I'm sitting in the captains seat of a Class D Full Motion Simulator for the ERJ. Full EFIS Displays and all the goodies. I flew the thing without crashing. Way Way Way cool. I've found my new calling as a jet pilot. Overall it was a good trip. I went to the airport and climbed on board a ERJ and thought....I can fly this POS.

Gone Fishin'

Hannah

I've got a question...Is this the same little girl? She can be a monster...and she can be a lady.

Asleep!

We recently went to a graduation ceremony and the pressures associated with said event put Josh to sleep. He was the only person left sitting as the gymnasium floor was packed with people congratulating the seniors. I just couldn't resist taking this picture.

Josh isn't the only one asleep. I've been away from Blogger long enough that they upgraded the services. No longer will I have to use Hello to upload my pictures. Pretty Cool!

Last but not least, the Computer Nazis I referred to in yesterday's post must be asleep as well because I am able to use there precious bandwidth as I wish. This has always been a game here at work. They limit our web use...I find a way around it.

Howdy!

I bet you are wondering if I am still here.....Yes! I have simply been too busy to post.
Lets talk first about disappointments.

#1. The computer Nazis have made it so I can't post pictures any more. Do you not have anything better to do.

#2. This is the worstest thing...I can't fly helicopters any more. It seems one of the other mechanic/pilots took one of our helicopters and did a neat little trick with it. The pilot Nazis at my company then grounded all of the mechanic/pilots 'cause obviously we can't be trusted.

#3 I am the person in my company who decides if we are getting a good deal when we buy a helicopter. Unfortunately the next one is located in the Virgin Islands (Antigua). My assessment my take several days. My blackberry doesn't work down there either...Which is a good thing.

In summation:

#1. GRRRRRRR

#2. Thank you Mr. B you #$^#&#&#&...#$^#%^&#%^^%&%$^&...Very, very, very much!

#3 There may be hope for this dead end job after all!

Why didn't I get some talent too?

This is my brother Eric. He is building this cedar strip canoe. It is going to be gorgeous when he finishes. I sometimes blog about me, becoming a redneck. Well let me tell you, this guy is the real thing. If it can be hunted he hunts it. If it can be fished for he fishes for it. The other day my redneck brother called me before I left for work and asked me a question that has left me in SHOCK. He asked...Aaron....Would you like to go play golf on Sunday. GOLF!!!! He has joined the country club even. He has complete blown off Turkey Season and he even wants a cell phone. The Bible mentions that in the last days there will be uncertain times. I'm thinking we may want to look up for our redemption draweth nigh.
So....Sunday comes and we go play golf. The turd beats me by two strokes. I've been playing golf since high school. He's been playing about two weeks. GRRRRRRRR!

Two Posts in Two Days...Miracles have not ceased!

This is one of pictures I took this weekend. As I said yesterday I was in a macro mood. I can't believe that I have actually posted for two consecutive days. Hello (picture posting thingy) actually worked, blogger done it's thing....Life is good. Maybe....Just Maybe, I'll start posting again.

I'm not Dead!

Yes I know, It has been ages since my last post. Why, Well, I've been a busy guy. It has been fun stuff but just too much of it. The future holds more and more of this fun stuff. My company is doing some crazy stuff and making me and many others like me go the extra mile. They are not asking for volunteers. As a result I've got to go spend a week in some poe dunk town in Texas doing stuff that really isn't much fun. Suffice to say, they are going to really love my expense report when I turn it in.

I have been getting to fly some. I accepted a new aircraft in Ft. Worth and brought it home. I've also been doing some small hops locally. I haven't flown an airplane since August so I've got to get an instrument proficiency check and all the other currency items up to date.

I actually took some pictures this weekend. I've really not had the time or "creative urge" to practice any photography. I was in a macro mood. I was going to post something today but I inadvertently deleted all the files on my CF card. Grrr! All is not lost as I saved them to my computer at home. Yes I blog at work. One of these days I'm going to do a post thanking AEL for the resources donated for the cause of "HOWDYS PLACE"

Bona Fide Redneck

If you have followed my blog for awhile you will remember that I have been wrestling with the idea of becoming a redneck. People have been remarking that I must be a redneck. As with anyone who is in a state of denial I get defensive about this perceived negative connotation. The evidence finally got so obvious last Saturday that I can no longer deny that I am at least leaning toward redneckism. That right...I bought a fishing license in Arkansas and Missouri....And have already used both of them.

Z cups!

When this building was going up we all theorized that it would be the home of a new mamograpy clinic. Man...we were wrong. One morning I was driving past and noticed that a heavy frost was on the top. The sun was coming up and melted the frost on half of the roof making this building appear like it had on a big bra. I live in a small town and buildings like this become a landmark so to speak. "Go to the big boobs and then take the next right".....

My Temporary Office Assistant

Hannah came to visit me at work the other day for about an hour. For that hour my office was a flurry of activity. For about an hour my office was a very popular place. My co-workers would come and tell me something I already knew to be the truth which was that my baby girl is beautiful. I always enjoy having the kids at the office from time to time. I've said it before but I'm going to say it again. Being a Dad is pretty cool.

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13, 4 thru 8

Happy Valentines Day

Going to School in Style

I got to do a really cool thing today. Josh's class was learning about transportation this week. I was asked if I could bring a helicopter down for the kindergarten class to look at. I got that all arranged but I didn't tell Josh until Wednesday that I wasn't dropping him off to school in the normal fashion. He was the big man on campus today. I landed in the middle of the track and soccer field and he got out and met his class. I really was fun.