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Website update! Look for a new April calendar and two great recipes from Mimi's Cafe.

Finally made it to Gardnerville on a little two day trip... not quite the three day West Coast extravaganza planned by my instructor and I. The airplane was finally fixed and we were able to get off the ground. Although our time in G-vil was short, it was great to see my parents. When we landed in Minden, I took my mom and dad for a ride around the valley. It was a pretty short one, maybe 20 minutes or so, but they both had a lot of fun. Dad said the landing was the best he'd ever had in a small plane (this didn't say much for his brother who has been flying for years!). He was proud, and in turn, that made me very proud.

My instructor, Brad, got the whole small town treatment. The night we arrived we went to dinner at the J.T. for a good 'ol fashion Basque dinner. We had intended on just four of us, with the possibility that Cathy and Jim Simpson would join us. They did, and so did four others. We had ten in all for dinner. That's what happens in a small town. You show up and find out there's others there you should be having dinner with. It's just the way it goes. Brad thought it was funny. The next morning, we had breakfast at Sharkey's, another local's spot. It was a nice time.

On our way home, we flew up over Lake Tahoe and over to Monterey, CA. From there, we headed out over the Pacific and flew down the coast to Santa Barbara. We stopped there for some fuel and a quick lunch and then headed home to Vegas. It was a nice day.

Beth and I are going to try and fly to Palm Springs next Saturday and meet my parents there. I still need to build a little more time before the end of the month for school, so I have a great excuse to take these little trips. And I love it!

Our friends Brad and Kanako moved into their new house yesterday, just down the street from us. We are really happy to have them nice and close. It's good to have old friends down here.

Still grounded... airplane still broken. Stay tuned.

FAA investigates errant American Airlines MD-80
(from Airlinebiz.com)

"News Tribune -- Federal aviation authorities are investigating why an American Airlines jetliner with 111 on board landed on a Sea-Tac Airport taxiway - instead of a runway - earlier this month. American Flight 1763, an MD-80 twin jet from Dallas, landed on taxiway C in clear weather at 4:21 p.m. March 15, the Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged this week. The National Transportation Safety Board said it too has launched an investigation of the errant landing. American Airlines said the airline likewise is investigating the landing."

Having the little pilot knowlege I have, I don't know how you could confuse a taxi-way with a runway. Interesting. Maybe, in an effort to be on-time, they thought if they landed just 20 feet or so to the left of the actual runway, they could save a minute or two taxiing to the gate? Bizarre!

Should be an interesting read - "Come Fly With Us! A Global History of the Airline Hostess" by Johanna Omelia and Michael Waldock. The book documents "airline hostesses" from the days of stewardess to international flight attendant. "In the 1940s, these women were released to join the war effort but by the next decade were seen as
"wives in training," as adept at preparing a baby's bottle as they were a martini." One blip spoke of the "swingin'" seventies when "some wore micro-mini skirts, hot pants, go-go boots and buttons that read "Pure, Sober and Available," while others even did an airborne strip-tease."

I know my labor contract is about to change to save the company money... but I hope these aren't some of the new changes to "attract more new, loyal cusomters."

Spreading my wings...

I flew today from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara with my instructor today, and got to meet up with my uncle for lunch. My uncle Rob, my mom's oldest borther, is an air traffic controller at Santa Barbara, and we landed just as his shift was ending. We met up at the Elephant Bar, one of my all time favorite resteraunts. It was nice to see my unlce... and certainly nice to soak up the warm, sea breeze-filled California air. It was a real nice trip.

I was originally going to take a longer trip, laying over at my parent's house tonight, and Jenn's (in Portland) tomorrow night, but had to postpone due to a mechanical problem with the airplane. But at least I was able to make a day trip today. It was a lot of fun, and a trip I will enjoy in the future. My uncle lives up the road in Santa Maria, right by the airport there. He has invited Beth and I to fly there anytime and stay with them. I just might have to take him up on the offer... it sounds like a lot of fun. I love this new found freedom!

Outrage.

I recently received the following e-mail and was instantly outraged. Below is the e-mail in its entirety, and below that, is my response. Let me know what you think.

The e-mail:

"Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 00:47:00 +0000

One of my friends sent this along to me, and I wanted to pass it on to you! I knew *NOTHING* about this stamp and would have BOUGHT and USED it without knowing it as a "Terror Stamp"!!!!

~Tiffany

Now, of all times, when we are on the brink of war with another fanatical Muslim country, our USPS comes out with this???? Think of our 250,000 men & women who are over in the desert or on a ship about to risk their very lives for the safety of those of us still at home with our families. And, just this week, the Terror Alert level was raised again to "HIGH". We were told last night on the news that a war with Iraq could possibly be a rallying cry for terrorist attacks around the world. Any one of us could be in immanent danger because fanatical Muslims have infiltrated our wonderful country and could be anywhere around us. There's no way to know who's peaceable and who's just waiting... Looking at this from another direction, this country was indeed founded by an overwhelming majority of Christians!! The Bible, Ten Commandments, faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior are the foundations of this great country. Where's the stamp with Calgary on it? Where's the stamp with even a simple cross? The Ten Commandments are being taken down everywhere. Children are NOT allowed to pray in school or a school football game. City Halls cannot put up a Nativity scene at Christmas. Good Friday is no longer a holiday. And our postal system wants to honor a Muslim holiday??? There is no justice or even fairness. Everyway I look at this stamp is offensive to me as an American and as a Christian.

Jennifer,
Proud American & supporter of our President and our troops!!!

Dear Patriotic Americans,

REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of PanAm Flight 103!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the military barracks in Saudi Arabia!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the American Embassies in Africa!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the USS COLE!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM attack on the Twin Towers on 9/11/01!
REMEMBER all the AMERICAN lives that were lost in those vicious MUSLIM attacks!

Now the United States Postal Service REMEMBERS and HONORS the EID MUSLIM holiday season with a commemorative first class holiday postage stamp.

I strongly urge you to REMEMBER to adamantly and vocally BOYCOTT this stamp when purchasing your stamps at the post office. To use this stamp would be a slap in the face to all those AMERICANS who died at the hands of those whom this stamp honors. I also strongly urge you to pass this along to every Patriotic AMERICAN you know whether by email or otherwise."

My resposne:

"This e-mail strikes a nerve in me. I doubt anyone here knows the person who authored it. Little does the author know, she couldn't be more anti-American. Our country was found on the belief that all of its people, regardless of religious or political beliefs, are free to pursue health, wealth, happiness and prosperity, equally and without persecution. This person is downright racist, and I am embarassed she is an American.

Think about what she said. She's right, the stamp is to comemorate a Muslim holiday, and then she says the USPS is supporting terrosim, immediately implying that all Muslims are terrorists. She forgets so soon that we have terrorists, American terrorists, among us, too. How about Timothy McVeigh? He is no less a terrorist than Osama bin Laden and his followers.

Furthermore, in the bottom of the e-mail where the author lists all atrocities "committed by Muslims" she fails to mention every single one of them were initiaited by Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda terrorist network. How dare she classify ALL Muslims as terrorists. It is because of arrogance and stupidity such as this that other cultures find Americans offensive. It's only too bad the rest of us good hearted in nature get lumped together with such ignorant people.

Please, all of you, refuse to pass along such ignorant, racist material."

I do not know who the Tiffany and Jennifer are in the e-mail. I am sure this e-mail has been around thousands of times by now, and what a shame. I doubt my reply, sent to all those who received it from my sender, will forward those comments with it. If you'd like to check out and learn more about the stamp, go here.

To censor is anti-American.

I read an article on CBSNews.com about how Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks made a comment about how she was disappointed President Bush is from Texas while on stage at a concert in London, England.

Seven stations were mentioned in the article, of which five were quoted as having removed the Dixie Chicks from their play list in protest. One of the other stations has a picture of Natalie with tape over her mouth on their website. I felt compelled to write them all:

"How ignorant for a station to support a few who get riled up about the truth. We all should be concerned for the way President Bush is handling the Iraq crisis. Are we even sure there is an Iraq crisis? This entire conflict has been worked up to a fever pitch but with no proof to the international community, let alone American citizens, that there is imminent danger. We've been trucking along these past 12 years since our last conflict with Iraq... have we been in danger that whole time?

Your support of a few hundred that may write in or call to remove the Dixie Chicks from your play list is arrogant. How can you deduce those few hundred stand for your some several hundred thousand listeners, or million, whatever your market share? The proper response on your behalf, as a company who's allowed to broadcast thanks to our first amendment rights, would say, "Hmm, that wasn't a very nice thing to say." And move on. We're all entitled to our opinion, and it's disappointing you side with the few who have decided to call and write. At the same time, you should voice the opposition and outrage of those few hundred to keep a well balanced, un-biased broadcast. To censor is anti-American. For a radio station that operates on public radio waves, using a license granted by the FCC which requires you to maintain public necessity, you should take such decisions a little more seriously, and in a less child-like manner.

No one is disrespecting the men and women who are there in the Persian Gulf, ready to fight. This isn't there war, it's our President's. Given the choice, wouldn't you rather those men and women be home, safe and sound, listening to the Dixie Chicks on your radio station?

The real debate here is whether or not all or most of Texans are disappointed President Bush is from Texas. My guess is, most Texans are very proud. Ms. Maines was speaking for herself and her band, not all of Texas.

Let's keep things in perspective."

In addition to that, I wrote to Mr. Jacobs, general manager of a country station in Kansas City, Missouri. This is what I wrote to him:

"Mr. Jacobs,

I came to your website to view the station's opinions regarding the Dixie Chicks and felt compelled to comment, directly to you, as I have already written in the chat room. I am seriously concerend by your comments in your open letter to your listeners for several reasons.

You stated the Dixie Chicks are entitled to free speech and it is not your intention to take that away, and that you are simply doing the same with your ability to exercise free speech by pulling their music from your play lists. As you mentioned, you are licensed to broadcast under public necessity. You do not share the same "free speech" rights as individual American's since you are publicly licensed, must present an un-biased opinion and report on both sides. You have failed to do this. Yes, the public is entitled to there opinion, but your station is not.

To censor is anti-American.

You mentioned you received 250 phone calls, and probably missed twice that many. Total: 750. You also said you received 500 emails. Total: 1250. Mr. Jacobs, is that the whole of your listening audience? If so, your decision to pull the Dixie Chicks was valid, accurate, and met your public necessity to serve your community. My guess is your audience is much, much greater than that."

Am I a fan of the Dixie Chicks, yes. But that is besides the point. I am concerned at these stations act of censorship. That is the true anti-American sentiment here. I am also concerned how we have a gun-slingin', fightin' happy President in the White House.

Bonjour de Paris!

Well, not really. I am home now, but home from Paris! I got my first trip to Paris on Thursday night. It's really a beautiful city. I was able to see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomph and walk down the Avenue de Champs Elysees. I also tried their famous steak and fries for dinnner, or entrecote avec pomme frites. I learned a little French while there... definitely something I'd like to learn more of.

Although home now, I have tons a school work to do. I'll let you know when I stop drowning.

Howdy!

Blogger is a great way to procrastinate. I love it! Still dreading the math work I need to do. Although I have started on the material, I have a long way to go, and it does nothing but stress the shit out of me. Ugh! A product of my own creation. The rest of school is good though. I am flying tomorrow to Big Bear, CA, about 2.5 hours from here via my Cessna 182. Once completed, I will be signed off in that particular type of airplane, and also signed off for high performance airplanes in general. Next step is to fly the Piper Arrow so as to get signed off in a complex airplane. (Complex = retractable landing gear; high performance = over 200 horse power/variable pitch prop.)

Tonight I am going to recreate the dinner I made for my roommates in Boston. That is: Chicken fajitas with pineapple/mango salsa, authentic Mexican Pinto beans and Mango margharittas. Oh is it going to be good! Also tonight I need to finish installing our new microwave. I started and had hoped to finish last night and then realized I didn't have the right sized drill bit to drill some of the holes necessary. The microwave is the kind that goes over the stove. A great spacesaver! It hasn't been too dificult, but I must remind myself it isn't up yet, either!

I'll prolly head back to New York tomorrow night or sometime on Thursday, just depending on how the schedule works out... hopefully in my favor.

Oh how I hate math!

I have finally put my math class off as long as possible and need to get my act in gear if I am going to get a good grade in the class. I am taking college algebra using the Prentice Hall Interactive Math series. It seems to be pretty user friendly, although I wish it were set up a little different. I hope it helps make the experience as fun and informative as possible. Afterall, how fun can math be? I think I need a beer...

The weather here lately has resembled Portland more than Las Vegas. It was raining last week when I left, it rained three days while I was gone, it was raining when I got back, and it is expected to rain again this afternoon/evening. Things are forecasted to clear up tomorrow and we'll be in the low to mid 70s by the weekend. Not bad, if you ask me. I could never get tired of the rain here since it happens so infrequently. And we're in a drout, so any amount is helpful. Of course, I am off to New York tonight where I could only wish for the rather balmy mid 50s here as opposed to the mid 20s there. Ick.

Bethany brought home some Girl Scout cookies last night, to my "Caramel Delight". Ha ha. Those are my favorite. I'm a huge peanut butter fan, but their peanut butter cookies don't quite do it for me. There's something about toasted coconut, caramel and chocolate that melts me. And the Thin Mints? I could do without. Although they are good, I'd rather they be crushed in some sort of ice cream concoction. Much better.

There has been a crisis here in Nevada the last several months with doctors leaving the state due to skyrocketing malpractice insurance premiums. The problem? Nevada only recently enacted tort reform to limit the liability and damages a physician may have to face/pay in the event of malpractice. The change came only after an emergecny session of the state legislature, and many are saying it's too little, too late since doctors are still leaving the state. Beth's OB/GYN announced today he is closing his office in two weeks. The problem gets even bigger; OB/GYNs are the ones leaving the most, and the ones that are still here, aren't accepting new patients. Women are having to travel to Utah, Arizona and California just to get prenatal care, and more and more babies are being born in the ER. I just heard it on the news today, so Beth doesn't know about it yet. I am anxious to hear what she has to say about it.

I need to catch up!

I have been a very busy person the last few days, but not without play. I made sure to make the most of my last week in Boston. I am really going to miss the people I lived with there -- they are all really great and I plan to keep those friendships going in the months and years to come. It was hard to leave. At the same time, I look forward to the challenge of a new base and all the new destinations I'll get to go to.

To celebrate my last week in Boston, I cooked dinner for about eight of my roommates. I cooked my mom's recipe for chicken fajitas with the pineapple mango salsa. That recipe can be found in the recipe archives. I also cooked authentic Mexican pinto beans, a recipe one of my roommates gave me. That recipe will follow later on the recipe page. And, to top it all off, I made fresh mango margharitas. A perfect meal! Fortunately, the entire meal went without a hitch and my roommates more than loved it. I was thankful for that. Since the 'ritas were free flowing in addition to tequila shots, Crown Royal shots and Skyy Blue malted beverages, we were all feeling pretty good. It didn't take long for the music to come on, the shoes off and for the living room coffee table to become a dance floor. We had a great time.

The next day I flew to St. Thomas and back. That night my roommates Kat and Sara and I went dancing in the city at a couple of clubs. I couldn't stay long since I was going to St. Thomas again the next day. I headed home around midnight. I came home Saturday night from Boston. Yesterday, I went to the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 NASCAR race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with my dad and his friends.

For the past three years, my dad and some of his long time racing pals have come down in my parent's motor home for all the festivities. In all, they attend three different races and live it up Vegas style. I think it's great he can do that. He ended up having an extra ticket to the race yesterday. It was a lot of fun. I could do without the other 139,998 people there, but it's great for the local economy. No, that wasn't a typo. 140,000 people attended the race yesterday -- a full house. And next year, there will be an additional 20,000 seats. Eek!

Today I am vegging... one of the things I do best. After a busy week for both work (I flew to London before my two trips to St. Thomas) and social, I was exhausted. Today was my first opportunity for a break. And thank god, because it's back to the daily grind tomorrow, with a new blend -- I am headed to New York instead of Boston.

Update to the site!

New modern day Irish recipes for St. Patrick's Day... shifting from the 'ol corned beef and cabbage. New calendar for March with info on St. Patrick, the celebrations surrounding St. Patrick's Day and Ireland.