being a pilot

a pilot once told me that his job was best described as "hours of boredom followed by moments of stark terror".

Did you know that when they used to send up those U-2 planes the guys would be up there in them for like 8-12 hours at a time? Thats literally sitting in the same spot the whole time. the logistics of that can be troubling, but engineers always have a solution....

another fun fact, the U-2 aircraft doesn't have any landing gear in its wings, they're along the fuselage. It's got two wheels kind of like a bicycle. When it lands the plane actually comes to rest with one of the wings touching the ground (they're reinforced with titanium skids). Then they manually install "pogos" under each wing that have wheels to support the wings.

pictures

I'm going to put lots of pictures up on my picture website soon...probably this weekend. Some from the Lu'au, some from the smallgroup, some from whenever. So....once I finish with all the work I have to do this week, I can actually start to think about doing that.....

Music to Check out

I can't think of an original thought...so, here's a list of music I want to check out. I just know most of these groups have new discs out there and I want to see what they sound like...give em a chance, if you know what I mean. Some are just older CDs that I never got, and I'm curious about them. I dont know the name of the discs though. I'm going to use my free month of Rhapsody (online music) to see what they sound like.

Finch
Franz Ferdinand
Bethany Dillon
Coheed and Cambria
Cool Hand Luke
Mogwai
Ida
Interpol
P.O.D.
Surfjan Stevens
The Darkness

Happy Thoughts

It's a beautiful day!!

an old poem

I love poetry...I haven't posted any for a while. This one may be a bit "meloncholy", if I understand the word right, perhaps not. Its from back in my days when my life was sort of skewed and I was trying to find my footing. Probably about 2 years ago or so. I post it because poetry is beautiful, but also....because I like to see how my thoughts have changed, and I have much more of a grasp on God's solid foundation now.

I was going to change the title, but....true to art, I have to include it as originally penned:

Can I Cry now?
A roadblock, or emptiness, which can it be?
Too many or too few of these feelings within me
The weight can be heavy and hard to grasp
I often feel like a warrior strapped to the mast
What more can be done, and what more said?
I've exhausted my thoughts on my prayer worn bed.
The emotions swirl but point me nowhere
Not too long ago I thought something was there
But where is there, if not some middle domain
Where minds just wander as people sort through the pain
It might be there, but not yet chosen
Not selected, or decided if it should be unfrozen
Perhaps left to stay unchanged, unneeded, unattached
Is where some see the spark best matched


There's definitely a lot in there....a lot reflecting some thoughts I was having about life in general....some of my more imaginative, figurative thoughts

Name That Caption

This was in BWI airport, after arriving back from Papua New Guinea in 2003. I can only think to call it "oops", but I'm not sure why. What would you caption these photos with? By the way, I have no idea who that other guy is. I'm not really sure what my mom is doing with the ice in this picture below....things get strange around the holidays.

Old Times

So, in response to Johns lovely flashback picture, I've got a few to throw out there...apparently I was putting on a show of my own. I'll title the second one...the creature awakes.

Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris Facts (thought you might enjoy these. If you're a guy you'll understand)

1. Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

2. Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.

3. The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.

4. If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can’t see Chuck Norris, you may be only seconds away from death.

5. Chuck Norris has counted to infinity. Twice.

6. Chuck Norris does not hunt because the word hunting infers
the probability of failure. Chuck Norris goes killing.

7. Chuck Norris doesn’t wash his clothes, he disembowels them.

8. In fine print on the last page of the Guinness Book of World Records it notes that all world records are held by Chuck Norris, and those listed in the book are simply the closest anyone else has ever gotten.

9. There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist.

10. The Great Wall of China was originally created to keep Chuck Norris out. It failed misserably.

11. If you ask Chuck Norris what time it is, he always says, “Two seconds ’til.” After you ask, “Two seconds ’til what?” he roundhouse kicks you in the face.

12. Chuck Norris doesn’t churn butter. He roundhouse kicks the cows and the butter comes straight out

13. The quickest way to a man’s heart is with Chuck Norris’ fist.

14. Nagasaki never had a bomb dropped on it. Chuck Norris jumped out of a plane and punched the ground.

15. When Chuck Norris sends in his taxes, he sends blank forms and includes only a picture of himself, crouched and ready to attack. Chuck Norris has not had to pay taxes ever.

16. Time waits for no man. Unless that man is Chuck Norris

17. In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Chuck Norris could use to kill you, including the room itself.

18. Chuck Norris can touch MC Hammer.

19. Chuck Norris doesn’t read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.