The Moon

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

40 years ago an American astronaut first said those words from the surface of the MOON!

Lots of people are talking about the Moon; at least those who still care and those who remember it. I do.
So, I guess it is almost impossible for me to ignore this day in history. July, 20 1969

I remember in the evening hours; a festive atmosphere around my house. I was in my comfy chair or whatever it was at the time, maybe the brand new bean-bag in the middle of the floor. I was still wearing those footed pj's, had a great big bowl of cereal just like grandma used to prepared and ready to watch something important on Tv. An American was getting ready to walk on the Moon!

The commotion around the tv set and many people in the living room, everyone excited about this Moon thing going on. I only remember my grandma smiling and my aunt telling me to pay attention to the screen. It seems funny but I can't remember if the images were Black and White or the tv was.

It is hard to think back to those early days of childhood and somehow put in perspective what was going on. A man; two men, two Americans were walking on the biggest, brightest thing in the sky.
Back then, it was the beginning of Science Fiction turn reality for me. My imagination flew alongside Neil and Buzz inside that capsule. I was on the Moon too.

From that moment on, everything was possible. The Moon, Mars, the Stars and beyond. Star Trek became validated and I knew that when I grew up; flying cars, buildings in the clouds and Moonbases were all going be a reality!
Well, what a disappointment.

But it wasn't because of lack of vision from people like Neil, Buzz, Lovell and the countless other souls yearning to forward civilization to the Stars. Sadly, it was due to people who had no vision, no imagination, no childhood dreams. Only greed for power and political ambitions who halted the Spirit of space exploration.

Perhaps, this anniversary may ignite the fire in some kids imagination, to bypass the naysayers and march proudly to the stars. Perhaps someday, some intrepid soul will have the bulge to plant the American flag again in some distant celestial body.

In the mean time, I'm glad to actually re live the original transmission from that July-20 of '69 and finally hear it the way it was. The History channel is putting on a show called Moonshot
it is worth the watch. I think there's quite a bit of artistic license taken, but what the hell.

Here's to you Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr. and Michael Collins... and other heroes in potentia.

Aviation - Pet Airways!

Wow, wow, woof! Yeap, it is true. Pooches and Kitties can now fly the friendly skies in comfort and just like their owners. The first of it's kind Pet Airways came to be on Thursday, July 9, in Omaha, Nebraska 2009. Airborne pets was possible by started by husband-and-wife Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel.

That's cool. No longer treated like luggage in the cargo area, these lucky 'dogs' will finally get a chance to travel in style. Yeah, the airline retooled the cabin and lined it with carriers instead of seats.

Hell I just thought of something. Snakes are pets too, huh? Snakes on the plane...? Nah.

It's a dog's life I suppose.

Kudos Dan and Alysa.

(AP Photo/Dave Weaver)

Happy Birthday America

Well, here it is again. Another birthday for the Grand Dame of Nations.
233 years of struggling to be the beacon for popular Democracy, intellectual Freedom and the place where anyone's dreams could come true. That's what our Founding Fathers had in mind.

Given the current conditions that the Nation finds herself in, I would said she's probably feeling a bit middle age and perhaps cramping.
Don't get me wrong. I believe this nation is "God's Country" still. At least for the time being.

I like to believe that the greatest country the World has ever seen, will recover from the current malady that its now suffering; Naysayerism!

This glorious land has been blessed with tremendous natural resources, vast tracks of land and huge bodies of fresh water, but perhaps most of all; countless human potential.

While growing up, it was hard to really understand the magnificence of this country. I had a sense of course, but I never had a firm grasp. It wasn't until I was much older that it hit me. I was damn lucky to have been allowed by Divinity to live here!
But, why does it seem as though that there's only a few, who really understand, appreciate and cherish this gift?

Lately, it appears that most people do not care. Maybe, it is because the people who are vested with the responsibly to make sure young people have a sense of duty and responsibility to this Nation; aren't passing that along. It is apparent that the 'neo-socio-coms' are too busy patting each other in the back while promoting self aggrandizing agendas, rather than serving the country.

Anyway, Happy Birthday my gorgeous America!

Aviation - Hill Air show

Wow - The Hill Open House Air show was cool in more ways than one. Yeah, of course, there's the regular static displays, your aerobatic regulars and even the RC's got a shot.

This year another visitor made a presentation.... RAIN!! Lots and lots of cold, freaking rain. Here it is, the start of June and we're getting May's rain.

I really don't mind it that much, but when you have to exchange sunblock for umbrellas and sunglasses for goggles; damn!

I consider myself a die hard when it comes to what I love. My buds too, are usually pretty DH themselves, but this year the rain kept lots of them away. But, not us!
Mr. Scotty and myself, we braved the freezing, cold rain for the thrill of a great show at the Air field.

The First day of festivities saw great temperatures of 78-f for most of the day. Pleasant. Very unusual for this time of the year, specially at an air show.

But the 2nd day (Sunday) the Lord must have gotten pissed with us for skipping church to see fast jets, amazing aerobatics and the occasional low-cut t-shirt. :)

Good seats. Oh yeah. If you gonna go and see the Blues or the Birds, or any other great performer you want to get great seats. In order to get great seats you have got to get your ass early enough to the flight line. Specially when the estimated attendance for this show was 400,00o visitors.

This time around early was 5:30 am. Yup, we got the routine down.

Getting to the right spot early enough is accelerating, because you know, you will see everything that there's to see without obstructions. (maybe)

The day was amazingly fresh, cool and clear. The vendors, the performers and the spectators were in great spirits. As you pass security you could already see the particular tails of your favorite planes, towering over the many tents and other smaller planes. The only thing in your in your mind is to rush to the "good spot". Once you got that done. Relief! Now you are free to wonder about and check the static displays.

Camera in hand, I was ready to used up all the 4-Gs my SanDisk card could hold.

In a few minutes the roar of engines perked up the field. The single aerobatic performers started the show.

Sean D. Tucker and his bright red Oracle Challenger II biplane kicked off the show.
If you have never seen Sean do what he does with a plane, I highly recommend you check it out when he's at an air show near you.
This guy has done what only very few dream of. He has flow with the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels.

The show went on beautifully. Fire jumpers, Air force academy Wings of Blue, Chinese CJ-6a, Mig-17s, Hellcats, Zeros and Russian Yak-11 filled the skies.

We came to see the big boys. The Viper West F-16 flight demo, the Hornet West Navy West F-18 demo, the Heritage filght F-4 Phantom, the P5i Mustang and of course, The Thunderbirds.

The whole first day the Sun shone brightly on all of us and a gentile 75-78 F weather was spot on. Once in a while, a nice cloud made it even better. The whole show was as good as it gets.

The smell of JP4, the roar of the jets and the excitement and anticipation of the crowd made you come alive.
I guess this is what NASCAR fans must feel when they enter that oval track. It was great just being there.

The F22 Raptor took to sky and I was lucky enough to snap a quick picture, right above my head. Damn good thing I still had my star filter in place.

The 2nd day of festivities started also early. Looking out the hotel's window, kinda made you wish you were born with a different set of brains. The kind that would override the wish to see jets for the kind to stay in a nice warm bed and get some sleep. We couldn't believe, that we were getting ready to head out in the pouring rain!!

That's right, rain; heavy, fat, stinging, wet, cold rain.

But, we have traveled this far (80 miles or so) and by God, we were ready for another day at on the flight line.

Getting a "good spot" this day was a cinch! We had a pick of the prime spots. Right on the fence just yards from the main show performers.

After situating the chairs, food, drinks, etc. The next step was to find some place dry enough to wait it out. That part was easy. Just right behind the good spot, there was great place that was dry and empty. The huge left wing of the B-52H

All we had to do was to drag our soggy, sorry butts to that wing and wait for the good news of better weather.
The show was schedule for 10:00 am but that was not going to happen. The rain was just making sure the planes and aviators were keeping grounded.

Kinda crappy since, many of the show performers flew long ways to come and do their stuff. Not to mention our selves. But somehow, it was different and I was starting to appreciate the new conditions around us.

The previous day the Jets looked shinny and impeccable. This day, they took on an almost ominous nature. Looking at them, it made me realize I was seeing the true nature for their existence.

Although no "BUFFS" (you know what that means) or other bombers flew, it wasn't hard to imagine these pieces of hardware bound for their targets; ready to fulfill their mission and perform the role their were intended for.

Taking a sizable chunk of real estate was the venerable and trusted B-52H Strato-fortress. No kidding. This thing is a formidable and intimidating machine.

This time around the guys from the 23rd Bomb Squadron The Barons - from Minot Air Force Base, ND were here to display the aircraft.

Man, these guys have some stories to tell!
As we waited for the rain to let up, I got the chance to spend sometime with the guys that make our skies safe.

"Blackjack" is a navigator who has a great sense of humor and loads of good stuff to dish out. The same goes for his buddies on this most awesome plane.

Man, I tell you. I did miss my calling. Well, my shitty eyes, kept me from ridding with the "Power of God".

I'm just glad that there are people like these guys "keeping an eye on things" for us. Cheers Barons! And thanks for sharing the wing with us that day.

As the day wore on, it seemed that the rain was finally going away. The performers all agreed that they were going to perform, even in less than perfect conditions.

The skies still looked pretty ominous but at the same time, there was a new excitement building all around us. We could see droves of people starting to fill the tarmac with chairs, ponchos and tents. It was getting good.

The heritage flight and the other performers started to take off and the field came alive once again.

The roar of the big stuff sounded even louder due to the heavy cloud coverage. The sound didn't have any place to go. I like that sound.

One of the performers we were more excited to see, was the F-22 Raptor. This freaking thing is loud and powerful. When Raptors fly, it feels like the sky is ripping apart. Right on!

Because of the conditions that day, the nature of the show switched to a "low show". Also, the performers seemed to sense the mood of the crow and they gave us a little more juice than the previous day.

The FA-18 Hornet did a series of high speed passes that normally it wouldn't do. This time, both the FA-18 and the F-22 opened up those thirsty afterburners and let us feel the power they hide under the hood. They literally rocked the ground. Hell yeah!

Once you see these guys do their thing, you know who own the sky; there's nothing out there than can touch them. I can't wait to see the new F-35. Hopefully, politics and self-servant politicians won't kill the project before we get a chance to see them.

The day and the show went on without a hitch. In fact. because the show times were shortened, we really got to see all the good stuff without any long waits in between.

Finally, the time came and the T-Birds got ready to take over. The rain seemed to diminished and give way to the Sun.

The jets took to the sky and I could catch rays of light dancing on the edge of the wings. Amazing!

The show went on as it should. I got close to the end, when the sky opened up again. We were getting almost pissed, because we haven't seen any T-bird performance canceled yet.
The show stopped. Over the speakers, the voice came saying that due to weather, the Birds decided to halt the show for the time being. They didn't suspended nor quit. They were just waiting in higher elevation for the cloud coverage over the base to clear.

We could hear those powerful jets high above, beyond the clouds. The lighting gave the wh9le thing a surreal tone.
The really became Thunderbirds!

After the sky cleared, we once again, felt the rush and anticipation for the show to continue. We didn't have to wait long. The solo pilots made a grand entrance again, burning the sky right over our heads with a speed pass.

I could have stayed there for hours.

The show came to its conclusion and we watched the gleaming jets touch down and park under a clearing sky.

Maj. Rick Goodman - Opposing Solo - Was kind enough to come over and chat with all of us by the fence. He felt grateful that we showed up for the show. He mentioned that the Birds didn't want to cancel the show and that seeing us, "down there", gave them the push they needed to continue. After all, these are war birds, a little rain will never stop these birds from doing their job. It was good to hear that.

All too soon, it was time to leave. It was great '09 show at Hill.

On our way out, we got to see something that I haven't witnessed before. A Thunderbird Transformer!

I was bummed out because we didn't get to see the whole transformation, but I saw enough to be impressed. This life size replica of a F16- Thunderbird is folded and then placed inside a transport semi, for the next show!

Freaking cool!

Hope you guys get to see it when it comes to an air show near by.


'Til the next show in the sky.

Around the house

I know, this post doesn't really fit within my 3 descriptions but it does fit within my life's interest. Photography. Specially studio - form photography.

I was working on my lights the other day. I just added a couple of medium size soft boxes to my home studio and I'm anxious to try 'em out soon.

I'm guilty of not spending much time in the studio. I will be looking for models and fun objects to photograph soon. I supposed that when I have something, I will be posting it.

Oh yeah, I came across a cool site, that allows you to "Meetup" with those with similar interest as yours. I haven't found many "breasts" enthusiasts around my area yet. I probably need to start it myself.

America - Aviation - Motivation

Just about every day, when I get up I take a deep breath and I breath America; I breath in America with all it's splendor and faults. It makes me feel great to know, that I live in paradise.

I usually tried to avoid the news that early, because I don't want to be bummed out the rest of the days by the "bad" news we usually get that early. Usually I listen to the Bob & Tom show because I'd rather start with a laugh and some silliness.

Today I started with the news. Yep. Of course, the news were bad. The first report it had to do with the Air France 447 flight that went down in the middle of the Atlantic. I'm sorry for the families of all those souls. I really hope we'll get to find out, what went wrong and fix it for future flights.

Then of course, the 2nd biggest news had to do with GM, the car industry and an administration that seems to keep on spinning the bad news and fumbling the truth.
Talk about depression!

Going through the rest of my day, I also found out, that somehow, somewhere, there's a neighbor who's life is so easy and uncomplicated that she has extra time to keep tabs on the goings on of the residents in my street. It is apparent that she also posses the ability to pass judgment upon the actions of her neighbors. Humm. a bit unchristian for some who professes to be Christian.

These and other pressing matters were starting have a negative input in my whole day. I need to find an island of sanity.

At that moment I remembered that I've DVRed ( not a word, but it should be) the new PBS program by Dr. Wayne Dyer. "Excuses Begone".
I started to watch it, looking for some good nuggets of wisdom that I could use today.
I found one. "No Excuses, no Explanations" - How great is that?

If I make no excuses as to how I live my life, or how I decided to architect my future, then there is no explanations to ANYONE!!!

I have to admit, that in the past few days, I have been feeling less than right. A sense of drudgery and chaos looming in the horizon had occupied my mind. Dyer always seems to have an explanation for those "down" days.

So, after pondering on the news, the nosy neighbor and other personal challenges, I have decided to Let Go and Let God. Isn't that what they say in recovery? Oh, well. I'm using it for myself today.

Alone, I can't solve the big problems our nation faces, but I can start fixing myself with small doses of Ed's ABC's!

America - Double Standars

Holly hell!!!!
Enough already of the Miss California Pageant "controversy".

There's NO controversy. The woman was asked a question, she answered!

The controversy rests in the incessant need for Left oriented media and special groups to control what comes out of everyone's mouths. It is time political correctness be done away with.

My posts aren't about politics, but it is impossible to remain silent and unbiased in the face of such hypocrisy.

The thought control police is out in force in events like this. As I said before, people go out of their damn way to get offended and hurt.

America was founded with freedom of speech at the top of the list. So why the hell are these Gestapo representatives so upset?
I believe that in an effort to try an please everyone, they show their own biases and their own guilts.

I have no problem with people wanting to be together. Who gives a shit? The problem starts when anyone, shoves their brand of believes, morals or lack there of, on the rest of us. Specially me!

These idiots expect that everyone would file in line and diligently follow their prescribed brand of politics. No freaking way!!!

Carrie Prejean, who by the way is a babe; had the strong conviction to tell what she believes. If they didn't want an honest answer, they shouldn't had asked the damn question.
But at the same it is wonderful to see that the "liberal cool-aid" hasn't spread yet to every soul on the land.

I don't care who you support, admire or cream over. Just don't expect for the whole country to agree with you. You have the right to say what you want, but you got to know, we don't have to listen to the crap.

Now, whom ever the hell didn't like Carrie's answer is still siting with their Pampers in a wad. They are still harboring hate and frustration towards this honest girl. Not knowing what else to do or say to condemn the horror, they have decided to try and discredit her. Oh yeah.

The best thing they came up with was that Carrie has fake breast implants!!! Hypocrisy at best. They got their little boot-lickers like Maggie Rodriguez at the "Early Show" to interview, Keith Lewis, the co-Director of the Miss California Pageant who admitted to helping Prejean get the "boob job."

Hypocrisy at best, working overtime.

The surprising thing is, that these morons get upset and offended when people like Glen Beck "dare" to question their idiotic motives and double standards.
We see through the muck and double speak.

Respect goes both ways!

To Carrie I say, Good going girl. Never be afraid to stand for what you believe. Never let anyone force their opinions or politics on you.
Oh yeah. Would you like to grace my breast appreciation site with your lovely pictures?

Breasts - Evil?

The other day I was standing on a long line, wating to be checked out. While in that interminable line, you are assaulted in all sides by magazine covers, depicting divorces, fat celebs telling you how to lose weight, and of course, my favorite subject.... breast!

Not really reading the magazine and not really paying attention to the boring story behind whatever article the picture was associated with, my mind wonder over the images briefly. You know how you do it when you have nothing else to do, but to endure your stay on the line.

All of the sudden I felt this uncomfortable sensation of a pair of eyes drilling into my neck. I turned around and my eyes caught the stare of this very stressed out woman. I could tell that she was fighting her own words from just blurting out some kind of "wisdom". Instead, she just merely said "Evil!" "Women who expose their breasts and men who look are evil."

What the hell was that?!

She let that out in a hateful manner. She did not looked at me while she said it, but it was said with my benefit in mind; and maybe for everyone else who just may think that beasts are evil.

After getting into my car, I began to ponder that remark. What could possibly make someone blurt that stupidity out? How, could anyone, think that a Heavenly creation could ever deserve to be label "Evil".

Please, don't get me wrong. I'm a conservative in many aspects of my life, but thinking that the very same source which feeds infants is wrong or worst yet, "evil" really boils my blood. It is not secret that I love boobs. I do and I will always will.

With all the serious subjects that populate the news nowadays, this woman is taking it upon herself to make sure, everyone knows how judgmental and superior she is with her own brand of finger-shaking shame? Give a freaking brake.

Murders, socialism, corporate greed, Government radicalism, serious disease, joblessness, terrorism, apparently aren't enough topics of concern for her and others like her. They feel is their obligation to impart judgment on you an me, for simply admiring God's handy work.

I noticed that she didn't have any breastage to speak of. Humm, maybe it was a case of sour-grapes in her situation.

Do you want to know what Evil is? HOA's Yep. Home Owner Associations. Those are pure evil. Nothing more than a bunch of self aggrandizing, self serving, worthless, money grabbing, collection of predators ready to trample your basic needs just so they can get YOUR money.

I figure this much. I'm not guilty of drugs, robberies, child abuse, hateful crimes, discrimination, no sitting in Church on Sunday but stabbing someone in back on Monday, or planning to ruin someone's life, no 911 conspiracy. Nope.
The only thing apparently that makes me Evil, is my love of women and breasts. Wow, I think I can live with those odds.

Just look at the picture of Michelle Marsh; if loving and liking the most beautiful thing on the Planet is dirty, inappropriate, bad, terrible and of course EVIL, then I am evil.

I don't know, you tell me.

Aviation - How to start an airplane

This picture was sent to me by one of my best friends up in Seattle. We share many aviation interests.

When I saw the image, somehow it reminded of the time, many, years ago when I was selling cold weather clothing way up in the Yukon and Alaska way.

The image brought back some funky memories of an unforgettable trip.

Well, the prop of the plane and the way the plane was being started is what fired the flashback. The guy doing the starting didn't look anything like this beautiful woman. In fact, nothing in the picture looked as it did back then.

Hell, it was cold, it was snowing, it was miserable. The plane was a cargo plane and not set up for "passengers". It was equipped with crates, boxes and other paraphernalia needed by the residents of those longitudes.

Me, I was just another 190 lbs chunk of cargo heading from Whitehorse to Old Crow on a day visit, alongside the other Three frequent fryers of this flying bus.

After being told by the cargo officer/flight- attendant/pilot to expect some rough air and to please make sure that we were "buckled" down securely, we would then take to the skies.

The look on the faces of the 3 regulars told me all I needed to know. It was going to be one hell of a ride.

The buckle. Oh the buckle. I think it was called the buckle on the academic sense. It was made out of some metal, it had "buckle" written on it with marker, and it was attached to the end of some rope by another buckle on the female side. On the male side, there was a hook!
All you had to do, was to simply figure out a way to hook that end to the "buckle" end and you're good to go.

Now, the whole thing was attached to the "seat"; which on this flight was played by a comfy, plastic, Pepsi blue crate, caped with a cushion sporting the logo of "another" unaffiliated air carrier.

The pilot announce that we were on our way. We all grabbed a hold to something in preparation to taxi out.
I remember the pilot punching the button expecting both props on the bird to fire up. The noise that took over the entire landscape was phenomenal. I guess in a cargo plane, insulation is only a nuisance.
After 30 plus minutes of trying his damnest to save face and to keep the one working prop from stopping while getting the other one to kick in, the Pilot finally decided that a more mechanical minded approach was called for.

He stuck his head and left arm out the little window and holler and waved to the ground-support team.

In the mean time I observed my co-passengers get excited at the sight of the mechanic who was slowly approaching our wing. One of them leaned towards me and yelled at the top of his lungs, that "Rogelio" a guy from Cuba was good with tools and that he would get us up in the air. They all seemed to recognized and like Rogelio.

I nodded, thinking. "What the hell is a guy from Cuba doing inches away from the Arctic Circle!?"

Rogelio, quickly determined which prop wasn't working right by doing a walk around. He then took a hold of that prop and coax it to cooperate by pushing it. He looked a bit frazzled. Or maybe he was stucked to the prop. I couldn't tell. After all, it was 1 degree out there.

My concerns grew more alarmed when I saw Rogelio jumping and trying to hit the prop's cowling with the biggest, freaking wrench I've ever seen! This damn thing was about as tall as Rogelio and about as blunt.

Watching him get frustrated with the whole exercise, he finally opted to get a ladder. The ladder towered over Rogelio, who strategically placed it within a gnat's eye-lash from the frozen prop.

I was somehow, mesmerized by the possibility of later on, giving an accurate description to the newspapers of the tragedy that I was certain, was only seconds away.

Rogelio banged the living hell out of that prop housing with rhythm. After all, he was a Cuban drummer I later found out.

After a good beating and a Bible of Spanish cursing the stubborn prop roared to life, not even scratching a single splinter from Rogelio's ladder. Wow.

Well, here we go!

A few minutes later we were all happily bouncing down the icy tarmac. I was quietly pondering if I was going to impotent after this little jaunt to the Frozen North.

It seemed that once airborne, the noise level actually increased by a few thousand decibels. I could see the wrinkles on my companions faces actually vibrate.

It was hard to see out the window. Not only because there were heavy clouds but because of the years of buildup cigarette smoke on the Plexiglas. If you got too close to the glass, I'm sure you could get second hand smoke inhalation. No doubt.

After several minutes in the air and catching glimpses through breaks in the clouds, suddenly downed on me that I should be able to see down on wildlife and such. However, here I was almost eye to eye with grazing Goats!!!

They were unfaced by the spectacle before them. A banshee from hell roaring and screeching through canyons, struggling to gain altitude. It was as though they have all seen this before many, many times!

My companions were also un moved by the tree-top flying warehouse we were riding in. I figure, if they are ok with this, who am I to be concerned by such triviality as self preservation?

Sometime later we were touching down in the nicest gravel runway of Old Crow. I guess, the expression of my face prompted the locals to offer me some water. Or maybe, it was the seat's cushion still firmly grabbed by my butt cheeks!

Oh yeah, Rogelio was the guy the girl on the picture reminded me of.

Aviation - JetAmerica

I remember when Airbus and other entrepreneurial airlines, decided to launch their aircraft into the air, hoping that we would ride the wave. Well, you know me. I'm on anything that flies. So when JetBlue made their introductory debut $1.oo day I was on it!!!!

Now, I just found out that we have a new airline on the horizon....JetAmerica. This brave new carrier is introducing $9.00 seats!
Unfortunately, their market is not servicing my part of the country. Oh well. Still a hell of a great price. So, even if the carrier does not make it, you can said that you got your butt across the country for only $9.00 freaking bucks!

Go here and read more about it. JetAmerica