Twas the Night before Christmas (at the Airport)

'Twas the night before Christmas, and out on the ramp,

Not an airplane was stirring, not even a Champ.

The aircraft were fastened to tiedowns with care,

In hopes that come morning, they all would be there.

The fuel trucks were nestled, all snug in their spots,

With gusts from two-forty at 39 knots.

I slumped at the fuel desk, now finally caught up,

And settled down comfortably, resting my butt.

When the radio lit up with noise and with chatter,

I turned up the scanner to see what was the matter.

A voice clearly heard over static and snow,

Called for clearance to land at the airport below.

He barked his transmission so lively and quick,

I'd have sworn that the call sign he used was "St. Nick".

I ran to the panel to turn up the lights,

The better to welcome this magical flight.

He called his position, no room for denial,

"St. Nicholas One, turnin' left onto final."

And what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a Rutan-built sleigh, with eight Rotax Reindeer!

With vectors to final, down the glideslope he came,

As he passed all fixes, he called them by name:

"Now Ringo! Now Tolga! Now Trini and Bacun!

On Comet! On Cupid!" What pills was he takin'?

While controllers were sittin', and scratchin' their head,

They phoned to my office, and I heard it with dread,

The message they left was both urgent and dour:

"When Santa pulls in, have him please call the tower."

He landed like silk, with the sled runners sparking,

Then I heard "Left at Charlie," and "Taxi to parking."

He slowed to a taxi, turned off of three-oh

And stopped on the ramp with a "Ho, ho-ho-ho..."

He stepped out of the sleigh, but before he could talk,

I ran out to meet him with my best set of chocks.

His red helmet and goggles were covered with frost

And his beard was all blackened from Reindeer exhaust.

His breath smelled like peppermint, gone slightly stale,

And he puffed on a pipe, but he didn't inhale.

His cheeks were all rosy and jiggled like jelly,

His boots were as black as a cropduster's belly.

He was chubby and plump, in his suit of bright red,

And he asked me to "fill it, with hundred low-lead."

He came dashing in from the snow-covered pump,

I knew he was anxious for drainin' the sump.

I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work,

And I filled up the sleigh, but I spilled like a jerk.

He came out of the restroom, and sighed in relief,

Then he picked up a phone for a Flight Service brief.

And I thought as he silently scribed in his log,

These reindeer could land in an eighth-mile fog.

He completed his pre-flight, from the front to the rear,

Then he put on his headset, and I heard him yell, "Clear!"

And laying a finger on his push-to-talk,

He called up the tower for clearance and squawk.

"Take taxiway Charlie, the southbound direction,

Turn right three-two-zero at pilot's discretion"

He sped down the runway, the best of the best,

"Your traffic's a Commander, inbound from the west."

Then I heard him proclaim, as he climbed thru the night,

"Merry Christmas to all! I have traffic in sight."

Walking Dead – Episode 2

Leaving nothing to be desired…the Walking Dead series 2 starts of with a kick. It begins at the survivor camp where Rick’s wife, Lori, and partner Shane are held up just outside of Atlanta. And within moments you realize that the relationship between Lori and Shane is much more than friends as the two of them go off into the nearby woods and screw on the ground. Lori appears semi ashamed of what she is doing and removes her necklaces (which I am assuming has a picture of Rick in it), but it doesn’t stop her from cheating on her…as far as she knows…comatose husband…while he is in fact trapped in a tank in the middle of Atlanta

*side note* really what was Rick thinking riding into Atlanta everyone knows to avoid heavily populated cities after the Zombie Apocalypse. It just a moronic move on his end.

Anyway, Rick trapped inside the tank hears a voice on the radio. The voice tells him that he should make a run for it because the zombies AKA walkers are preoccupied with devouring his horse. Rick, a little unraveled quickly collects himself, grabs a shovel and a Glock 9 mm and emerges from the tanks top hatch. A zombie on his left, Rick swings the shovel and starts running in a mad frenzy in the direction the voice told him to. He shoots zombies in his path (wasting his bullets) instead of silently bashing their skulls open with the shovel.

Tearing around the corner, Rick runs into the “Voice”. Rick and this kid run down an alley and up a fire escape attempting to get away from the zombies that have been drawn by the gun shots. Once on the landing the kid introduces himself as Glenn. They climb into the department store and into a momentary safezone.

Rick realizes that it Glenn is not alone when a woman shoves a gun into Ricks face for attracting the undead and leading them right to the survivors. Unable to pull the trigger she calms down and is distracted by gun shots. The group of survivors run for the roof where a red neck hillbilly named Dixon (hillbilly name too) is popping zombies. A black man approaches Dixon telling him to conserve the ammo but Dixon spun out calls the black guy a -N- and proceeds to beat the crap out of him. Everyone backs down as Dixon proclaims his superiority until Rick steps up from behind, knocks the gun out of his hand with a pipe and hand cuffs him to the roof.

Even at the end of the world racism and stupidity still arise as strong as ever. Sad that people like that where not the first to die.

The group leave the crazed man on the roof and head back into the building realizing they don’t have long before the zombies have broken the glass windows that separate them from certain death. Glenn mentions a sewer access point in the basement that he came across while scooting out the building upon their arrival. But this escape plan won’t work because after years of technological advances a sewer access in a basement is no longer needed and has been blocked off. Feeling like they are running out of options Rick asks the survivors to tell him more about the walkers. Confused but relived for a momentary distraction one of the woman start to explain that the walkers can tell the difference between the dead and the living by the smell.

You see a light go on in Rick head as he realizes that is the solution. Rick and Glenn run and collect a dead zombie and hack him open. Glenn and Rick begin to smear the zombies dead guts on their body, wrap intestines around their neck and pieces of zombie flesh hang from them. Now they smelled like the dead. Rick and Glenn make their way out into the city and towards some construction trucks and because of their smell the zombies do not notice them. The plan appears to be working, but dark rain filled clouds begin to blow in and as it begins to gently rain the smell of death is washed from Glenn and Rick. Realizing that they don’t have much time they run towards the truck.

Realizing that the zombies are going to follow the truck Rick slams on the breaks next to a very sweet HOT RED sports car setting off a loud ass alarm. Glenn breaks the windows, hotwires the sports car and drives it past the front of the department store attracting all the zombies. Glenn definitely has balls as every zombie in Atlanta take off after the car. Free to maneuver, Rick drives the truck to the back of the store and picks up the survivors. Thankfully Dixons racist ass is left on the roof…pig.

So with the survivors rescued they all live for another day.

This show is heart pounding and keeps you on the edge of your seat ever moment. I am already looking forward to Sunday…For Episode 3!!!

Walking Dead – Episode 1

For those that know me, know that I love Zombies and I have been looking for a good zombie movie, book, anything for a while. Since I turned the last page on WWZ I have been on a hunt to find a new book that could even compare to WWZ and after the credits…I have been on a mission to find a movie that could freak me out as much as Zombieland (next to Shaun of the Dead it is awesome). When I heard that AMC was coming out with a ZOMBIE series well I think my heart just stopped! I was excited. I couldn’t wait and trust me when I say I had my TiVo set at least 2 weeks in advance (as soon as I could set it to record I did). Sitting back Halloween night…since I couldn’t go out cuz of work Monday morning…I was not disappointed.

Walking Dead opens with a cop pulled over on the side of the road, he gets out and walking with a gas can around abandoned cars, dirty laundry, tents and more towards a gas station looking for fuel.  Everything looks like it has been there for months. He cop hears a sound and drops down…looking under the car he sees a little figure stubbing in-between the cars in cute little bunny slippers. Realizing it is a little girl the cop stands up and calls out to hear…she turns around and she is a ZOMBIE!!! Her lips are eaten away from her face and blood is splattered all down the front of her outfit. The cop stubbles backwards as the little girl stumbles towards him with him with hunger in her eyes. He pulls out his gun and blows the child’s brains out!

Welcome to the ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE!!!! Just as my twisted little brain as always imagined it….

You think it would go from there…but it doesn’t…you flashback…

The next thing you see is the cop, Rick, and his partner Shane sitting in a cruiser MONTHS before the apocalypse.  They are talking about their families; Rick about his wife Lori and son Carl, who have been going through some difficult times lately. A Call comes on the radio and they go to a shoot out. Rick gets hit in the firefight and ends up in the hospital in a coma.

We don’t know how much time has passed…Rick awakes. The flowers next to his bed are dead, the batteries in the clock on the wall have died and the hospital is completely silent. Rick struggles out of bed, calling for the nurse, but no one comes to help him. He struggles into the hallway and finds everything a mess. Computers over turned, paper strewn up and down the hallway, equipment knocked over. Rick wonders around the hospital…everything appears deserted until he stumbles upon a set of double doors chained shut and a warning written across them; “Don’t Open…Dead Inside”! Rick reaches towards the door when it starts to move and skeleton like fingers reach out from the crack. Rick rushes out the doors of the hospital in horror only to find dozens of dead bodies in body bags and hospital sheets spread out across the courtyard.

Rick, realizing that something is wrong rushes to find his wife and son, but his home is empty. Rick sits down outside his home tears in his eyes when a young boy appears and hit Rick with a shovel knocking him out. Rick awakes again to find himself in yet another bed. He is tied up and a man is standing over him, “Did he bit you…did you get scratched?”. Rick is confused and unsure how to answer. The man continues to question him. Rick slowly shakes his head and responds…”you shot that guy” The man leans over Rick to untie him…”No I shoot a walker”. Rick is confused. The man leans back and introduces himself as Morgan, and his son, Duane.

The next morning Rick, Morgan and Duane go to Ricks home. He realizes that his family has left and he believes they headed for Atlanta. Rick realizes that he has to go find his wife and son. He takes Morgan and Duane with him to the police station, where they have a hot shower and stock up on weapons and ammo. Rick says goodbye to his new found friends and heads off to Atlanta. Morgan and his son return home, where Morgan tries to find and finally kill his wife. But he is unable to do it.

Ricks car runs out of fuel on the way to Atlanta and he finds a horse who is not infected and takes off towards Atlanta. Riding into Atlanta Rick does not realize how many living dead are in one of the largest cities in the US and suddenly he is hit on all sides by the living dead, running at him from every corner. The zombies take down his horse ripping their intestines out. Sucking the blood from the dying horse the zombies devour him. Rick in an attempt to escape crawls under an Army tank. Realizing that he is trapped and has no way out his turns his gun on himself only to realize that the emergency hatch is open and he pulls himself into safety.  

Inside the radio crackles and a sarcastic voice says “ Hey…you in the tank…cozy in there?” Rick realizes that others are alive in this world of the undead.

Takers (Movie Review - 2010)

This past weekend my girl and I went to go see Takers. I felt a little late to the game, because a number of my friends had already seen it and told me it was great! This can sometimes work as a positive, but also a negative. Yes, I wanted to see this movie, the previews looked good and I had heard good things. BUT, I knew I would now be walking into the movie with very high expectations, which can usually lead to disappointment.

First let me say…I was NOT disappointed, I was very pleased with the movie, and wouldn’t mind seeing it again. J

Takers, is about a group of five very talented bank robbers who have been successfully robbing one bank a year for about 7-10 years. They have executed each robbery to such perfection that the police have no clue how they are do it or how to capture them. There has only been one mistake, in 2004, Ghost (played by T.I) was shot and arrested during a robbery. He did not turn on his co-conspirators, but did his time in silence.

The movie opens to a bank robbery in progress. The seasoned team executes the robbery and escape using a helicopter, throwing everyone so off the trail so that they appear unstoppable. The team is made up of the leader, Gordon (played by Idris Elba), John (played by Paul Walker), A.J (played by Hayden Christensen) and two brothers Jake (played by Michael Ealy) and Jesse (played by Chris Brown).  After an action filled robbery and escape, the team celebrates their latest heist at Jake’s night club. Playing it safe, they contact their accountant and move the money out of the country to have it cleaned while they lay low and live a life of luxury for the next year, until they plan the next heist.

However, Ghost, their former teammate, is released from prison just a few weeks after their most resent robbery and comes back to find that the team no longer trust him, his girlfriend Rachel is engaged to Jake and the team no longer seems to need him. Swallowing his anger for the betrayal, he moves forward with his own plans and convinces the group to strike an armored car carrying $20 million. The team, at first is apprehensive, but as A.J & Jesse draw out the plans, they realize that it is possible and decided to “cautiously” move forward with Ghost’s plan. Gordon and John watch Ghost at every turn, John watches through crosshairs, ready to take him down at just one word from Gordon, because something still doesn’t’ feel right about this heist.

Jake however is the most uneasy of the group. He is convinced that a year between robberies is the best way to go and he knows the police are still hot after the last attack, but no one realizes how hot. Two cops, Jake (played by Matt Dillion) and Eddie (played by Jay Hernandez) are determined to crack the case and bring these criminals to “justice”. Unbeknownst to the crew, the cops get closer and closer, figuring out that Gordon is in-fact part of the crew. To make matters worse, Gordon’s drug addicted sister, Naomi, has left rehab and gotten herself arrested by the police.

Jake’s unease was not in vain and one thing after another falls against the perfect crew as their meticulous plan begins to fall apart at every turn, and soon their world is crashing down around them.

I would love to say more, but this is one movie that I think you should watch to get the ending, you will not be disappointed. Takers provided action at every turn and the cast of actors, although unique, played very well together and did a wonderful job. There are a number of twists and turns that lead you to just rooting for the “bad guys” for a change. This movie is perfect for guys & girls, first dates and 20^th dates. It has love, romance, action, tension, lying, backstabbing and more. 

Bahamas FAM Trip 2010 - Saturday 8-28-10

Today we (my roommate and I) were both up again before the sun…and headed out into the cool morning to see if we could find a few good shots of the sun rising, sadly…we couldn’t see anything over the buildings and trees. But we did get to see something that many on our trip didn't, we got to see the resort when it was at total peace. You couldn't hear a thing...it was complete silence and it was amazing.

Unable to see the sun rise, and before we got eaten to death by the mosquitoes, they seemed to have smelt our blood and were quick to rise and attack up. We headed back to the room and got ready, pack up and meet everyone for breakfast at 7:30, although this time we were not the first ones…we did pull in a close 2nd.  During breakfast we had an overview of the days activates including flying to George Town, Exuma.  

Being that this was my first time in the Bahamas since I was knee high to a boll weevil I considered this my first time. I remember things, bits and pieces from before, but this time, i will remember forever.Through out the whole trip Guillaume, our pilot, had kept telling me…just wait until you see Exuma…you will love it, it is beautiful there....blah blah blah. And of course, I had loved everything so far, so I wasn’t expecting much. I figured it was just another beautiful island that would make me stand back and think...I am never taking another one of my vacation back in the  mid-west :)

We took the ferry and the taxi back to the airport, and I swear it went quicker heading back. Our group was the first to get to the airport, and one of the first to take off. I was excited again, until Guillaume scared the living crap out of me. As we were taking off, he said to us, "I am going to do a low take off so they can get some good pictures of us." I was cool with that, but what he didn’t tell us was that he was suddenly going to bank to the left! I screamed…thankfully my headset wasn’t by my mouth or I may have deafened everyone in the plane! It was great…better than a rollercoaster ride, once my stomach finally stopped spinning.

 

After takeoff we made a pit stop in Marsh Harbor where we fueled up before the longer leg of the flight.

This time we did formation flying with a Piper and this time he did a LOT more turns and dives then before…by the time we landed I was ready to fall over…was fun as hell, but it had been hot and I may…or may not have been a little bit hung over.

We were meet by Rhonda Ingraham and loaded onto buses and taken to Palm Bay Resort.  And I must say…Guillaume didn’t lie, Exuma was beautiful! . It seemed that the Grand Bahamas Ministry of Tourism had saved the best for last. The ocean looked like a Photoshop magazine spread. You could hardly tell where the teal ocean met the cloudless blue sky. Everyone was already anticipating the cool ocean water after the hot flight.

Walking up to the Palm Bay Resort did not do them justice; it was not until you walked out the back and headed for the villa that you realized the true beauty of the location. The Resort faced east and the sun sent its reflection running over the motionless ocean.  Everyone was pulled between the idea of lunch and the idea of a dip in the waters. Sadly, at Palm Bay Resort, my roommate and I got split up because the AC in our room and broken, so we each ended up with our own villa’s. Ok, maybe it wasn’t so sad…I rather enjoyed it! I had the BIGGEST bed. If I could have taken that home with me, I would have.  And the rooms were amazing, and I would love to go back oneday.

We all dropped our stuff off and we were loaded back onto a bus as then caught ferry’s out to Stocking Island. Pulling up to Stocking Island made you want to stay and never leave. It was a true Caribbean location and feel. The Grand Bahamas Ministry of Tourism had a winner stopping at that island and not a single person in the group wanted to leave when the time came.
We had lunch at Chat N’ Chill where I had the best hot sauce every.  I should have bough some to bring back with me! While on Stocking Island, we got to watch them make Conch Salad, go snorkeling, and even feed and pet sting rays. I so touched a sting ray! It was awesome!!! hehe

*Yes Yes I know that is how that crazy Australian dude died…but really…if you had the opportunity to do it…wouldn’t you??

By 4:30 we were heading back to the resort where we had time before dinner to relax. A lot of people took naps or relaxed, but most of us hit up the pool and bar. A few of the pilots who had won bottle of Fire in the Hole busted them out and we all got a nice buzz going on before dinner.

At 7 Lisa and I went back and got ready for dinner at Splash (the resort bar and restaurant) and the evening activates. The dinner was delicious and after dinner the Grand Bahamas Tourist office pressed awards (yah me!! I got one..ok, yes I am a dork) and jackets to the Flying Ambassadors.

Being that it was Guillaume & Pete’s birthday…2 cakes were brought out for everyone.

 

After dinner a few of us decided to take advantage of our last night and spend it in the pool but exhaustion and constant running soon took the best of me, and I was off to bed for the early departure home the next day.

And again…even though I was in a new place and a new bed…I slept great!!!


I must admit that this was one of the best trips I have been on in a while. I meet some of the most amazing people and truly enjoyed myself. I did so many things that I had never done before that heading back into the office on Monday made me want to cry! 

Bahamas FAM Trip 2010 - Friday 8-27-10

Today I was up before the sun, ok, I was up with the sun. My roommate, Lisa, and I were up at 6 am watching the sun rise. We were both ready and down for breakfast by 7 am. After a quick breakfast we had about an 2 hours before the bus arrived to take us back to the airport. We decided to spend the time running around the local shops, but since nothing was open we went over and enjoyed an hour walking along the beautiful beach!

But before we had even begun to enjoy the beauty of Port Lucaya we were back off, and this time, we were heading for Treasure Cay, Abaco. Second time and it was just as fun as the first, but this time we did some formation flying with the Cessna 421. It was awesome…we were so close to the other plane that we could actually see the people inside taking pictures and waving!

By the time we landed in MYAT, I was in the best mood! But then again…I had been in a wonderful mood all day! We were meet by Melinda Williams who broke us up into taxies groups and put us on Taxies that we took over to a ferry. From there we took a short ferry ride over to Green Turtle. The water was cool and brilliantly blue and everyone was taking advantage of the beautiful photo opportunities.

If I thought Grand Bahama looked amazing…it just keep getting better, pulling up to Green Turtle was breathtaking, and to be honest, I wish we would have had more time on the island. I would have love to take a day to go diving with the world renown Brendal Stevens from Brendal’s Dive Center…but time was already ticking by to fast!

Lisa and I were the first ones to the check out counter, we were both bubbling with energy and ready to go. We checked in and went to our room…it was adorable! Seriously!! The resort was in fact just small cottages that ran along the coast line. Each one over looked the beautiful bay. Entering the resort was like entering a page in a travel magazine, the resort representatives were friendly and helpful. The beds were beautiful, the view was stunning and I think I could have easily spent a week there, but we only had 30 min before we had to board the Prozac and take the hour ½ long boat round down the Abaco Out Island chain to Guana Cay.

The boat ride was beautiful. The water was warm and it was a great time to socialize and talk about past experiences in the Abacos. Pulling into Guana Cay was beautiful; tiny jelly fish were swimming all around the boat and fish were darting underneath the dock. We all got off the boat and began to make our way up to Nippers for lunch and drinks

Nippers was bright, colorful beach bar and grill, and it was quite a little hike to get there, but well worth it in the end. J They had an outside bar with tables overlooking the beach and ocean with two swimming pools and a gift shop. We got there and we were all ready to run down to the beach, get a drink and just enjoy the sun! Again, it felt like time was to short because before we knew it, lunch was served and we were already being herded back to the boat. Not to go home, but to go and learn about a really rich island, Breakers Cay, that are selling lots that I will never be able to afford….but I can dream.

After a short sales pitch from the representative, we were back on the boat and heading back to the resort. Ok, to be honest...a few of us took some of that time and instead of hearing about what we can't afford...jumped off the pier into the crystal clear ocean.

Before we even went back to our hotel room, Lisa and I stopped in the gift shop. I had to pick up a shot glass for my every growing collection. But as soon as we got back to our hotel room, Lisa and I both showered and got ready for dinner. Ok to be honest, I showered, got dressed for dinner…then put my bathing suit back on and went to the beach again with our pilot while Lisa was in the shower. Something about that water calls to you and you just want to spend all day and night relaxing in it. After a quick dip…I went back…showered yet again and got ready for dinner. This time I stayed dressed...but I wasn't happy about it...until the drinks came!

We had a happy hour at the restaurant at the resort and watched a video from the last few years on the trip.  Soon dinner was served and we all sat down to eat. I had the lobster tail J Yum!!


After dinner, the pilots were given the opportunity to tell their “best” story and if the crowd liked it, they got a bottle of Fire in da Hole bottle of rum! All the pilots gave great stories and before long everyone was laughing and having a wonderful time. Although all the stories were the best, I couldn’t help but laugh my ass off at Jeff’s story about running over a bold eagle.

After a late dinner (like 9:00 late) , the Miami boys, Guillaume, and I grabbed 2 golf carts and went into down town Treasure Cay. The golf cart ride was just fun, we took a little detour and went down to the beach! It was a blast. Finally we arrived at a bar…I wanna say Pineapples (but don’t hold me too it) were we meet up with a bunch of other people from our group. After very little persuasion Jeff and Guillaume stripped down to their skivvies and jumped into the pool for a late night swim.

After dancing and drinking a few Goombay Smash’s we headed back to the hotel and called it a night

And again…even though I was in a new place…I slept VERY well!

Bahamas FAM Trip 2010 - Thursday 8-26-10

Today was the first day of the Familiarization Trip to the Bahamas, and I didn’t sleep at all the night before; my nerves were going crazy since it was going to be my first time in a general aviation aircraft. I hitched a ride to SheltAir, the FBO at FLL and was the first one there. I hung around and waited for the rest of the 40+ people to show up. Usually I am a sociable butterfly, but being in a room full of people I didn’t know at 8:30 am when they all pretty much know each other had me resigned to the corner until my boss and co-worker, Lisa, arrived.

Before pairing off and taking off, we had a short debriefing from Greg Rolle from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. I was still nervous. I have done the commercial jets, tons of times, heck I basically lived in them for a while, but this is a plane that seats 4 people! WAY DIFFERENT! AND to make matters worse, our pilot had yet to show up. So there is me, pacing the room, freaking out internally (and a little externally) because I believe there is a saying. “When the pilot doesn’t show, it is usually a bad sign” and if there isn’t such a saying…there really should be!!! Because seriously...

Since time was ticking by...everyone else went a head and left. Telling me, "oh, your pilot is on his way 20 min out". This left Lisa and I to continue and wait on our pilot, while I am screaming inside what the heck...where is he! Our pilot, who, because of some last minute changes was now running over an hour late! Yes, everyone had left about an HOUR ago! Not good considering the flight was only about 45 min long. Lisa found a great way to calm my nerves…Screw Drivers...gadda love that girl!!!

Just as we were about to catch a ride with some other pilots heading to Freeport, through the door comes our pilot, Guillaume. He apologizes for running late and explains the situation after introducing himself. He collects all of our information and passports and files our eAPIS, a must do when flying to the Bahamas, and in no time…we were off.

Walking onto the airfield was also different. The biggest plane out there was a Gulfstream (or something...I am still learning), which is still a baby in comparison to a commercial jet. There was no walking down that long runway tube and waiting for people to retardedly put up their bags, wonder around and try to find their seat and just basically act incompetent (I hate that about flying). We walked over to this plane that I swear you could have flown with a remote. But I swallowed about 45% of my fear and started getting excited. Being my first time, Lisa and Jean was nice enough to let me ride up front and nothing compare to the experience!!!! After Guillaume did a detailed check of the aircraft (of course I was watched like a hawk...I didn't feel like dying today) he gave us a overview of emergency exits, seat belts, etc….he called the tower and we started to taxi. The take off was spectacular…seeing the pilot actually take off…actually work…was fascinating. 

And I have to say…even if our pilot was late…he was great! He went out of his way to make sure that my first take off and landing went smooth. He made sure that I was comfortable and answered any questions that I had…and I always have a lot of questions!

On a side note – I am so proud of myself for not touching any of the buttons! Yah me!! And with all those buttons and knobs and stuff to pull, it really wasn't easy! I like to touch things...so the fact that I didn't touch a single one, well for anyone that knows me, knows I deserve a cookie!!!!

The flight was short, but Guillaume let me take the wheel…no…Yoke…yes that is right! That was so much fun!!! And I am proud of myself for not crashing us into the blue ocean below (I am pretty sure he did have the Auto Pilot on anyway). We were getting close to where the sea and ocean meets and he tells me "you are suppose to be going down"...I looked at him like he was a crazy man and I was thinking...I don't want to go towards the ocean! I wanna go away from the ocean!!!!

Landing in Freeport was great. We landed at Grand Bahamas Airport and when we touched down…I was not tossed around my seat, my stomach did not jump up to say hi to my tonsils, it was smooth and painless. Landing till that day had been the scariest thing for me when it comes to flying. I always had a little voice in my head as the wheels would touch down saying, please stop this gigantic plane before we run of the runway and die!

At Grand Bahama Airport we were greeted by a representative, line crew, a photographer…it was so much hustle n’ bussel. They took our bags and after a few snap shots they whisked us off to Customs, Right outside of customs the feel of the Bahamas was already in the air as we were greeted with Bahama Mamas and conch fitters. The passengers enjoyed the sun and music, while the pilot went inside and got everything settled. Going through customs was a breeze and soon we boarded a bus to The Radisson Our Lucaya Resort. The bus ride from the airport to the resort was short, but I was already bouncing around like a rabbit trapped in a cage. I wanted to get out and touch and see everything (I love going somewhere new). The driver gave a nice overview of the island (pointing out their KFC...hehe) and what it had to offer both pilots and tourists alike. Admittedly, I only payed attention to half of what he said, because looking out the window watching the city go by, you knew you were in the Bahamas. The houses were bright Caribbean colors of green, pink and blue. 

We checked in and my roommate, Lisa and I headed up to our room to drop off our bags before heading off to the Round Table seminar. Our room was on the 8^th floor and view were spectacular…and I am pretty sure it held us up as we took pictures of the view. It over looked the horse shoe pool that ran up to the ocean front. We took pictures of everything, the pool, the room, each other! Looking out over the pool and out into the ocean, gave me a since of freedom that I sometimes forget, loose and can’t find being trapped in the office all day.

We sat down for a nice working lunch, Greg Rolle ran the Round Table Seminar. Karen Seymour from the Grand Bahamas Ministry of Tourism greeted us and we went around the table introducing ourselves. Around that table were representatives from every inch of the general aviation industry, the melting pot of aviation movers and shakers that were on the trip was astounding.  After a presentation from James Turner the Commercial/Business Development Director for The Grand Bahama Airport. A number of the pilots/groups who lead fly-ins to the Bahamas had a lot to say about today’s reception at the airport…and almost all of it was positive feedback.

We got about 1 ½ hour for leisure time that Lisa and I took full advantage of, while we explored the island and did a little shopping (you know girls and shopping) before heading back to the airport where we got to have happy hour. I have drank AT an airport tons of times...what else do you do while waiting for your flight, but I have never drank ON an airport...next to the tower. This trip was full of a firsts for me!!! :) We even got to go up (in groups of 10) and take tours of the control tower. Being up in the tower...was again, another first for me. They went over how the manage the planes coming in and out of the airport. It was a lot of fun. The Grand Bahama Fire Department did a demonstration and everyone watched the sun set over the runway.


Note: Yah for me not touching any of the buttons...it was harder in the control tower then it had been in the plane. SO MANY SHINY BUTTONS!

After everyone had a chance to go into the tower, we headed back to the hotel where we could shower, and change before  heading to dinner at Luciano’s. Dinner was great…and besides our huge group that took up a majority of the restaurant there where a few other individuals that had come out to enjoy the beautiful evening in Port Lucaya.  We had a couple who where clearly in the fight of a lifetime. The girl was so mad at her boyfriend (I am sure for cheating). The boyfriend got a cappella group to come up an “serenade” her, it didn’t work, they didn’t say one word to each other the either dinner. We all keep looking over and talking about it :). It was rather humorous. The second couple that stood out, I guess I shouldn’t say "couple", was this very old gentleman who had obviously paid for the company of a very young and attractive "girl".

After dinner we walked back to the hotel and Guillaume, Lisa, the Miami boys and I went down to the pool and spent the last few hours before exhaustion would force us to sleep enjoying the cool breeze flowing off the ocean and the dark night sky that allowed us to see 2x as many stars as you could ever hope to see in south Florida.

That night…even though it was a strange bed in a new city…I slept amazing! :)

Daybreakers

This past weekend I watched Daybreakers. First off…much better than the last horrible movie I watched, but I do like Vampires :) Of course this movie was not as good as Blade, but I don’t think anything will be for quite some time.

The movie takes place in 2019, and the vampire virus has spread out from the underbelly of humanity and taken over the world like a plague, turning almost every human into the walking dead. But of course as the vampires’ numbers rise, the human population dwindles. The vampires have turned to capturing and harvesting humans in laboratory farms in hopes to survive until scientist can come up with a synthetic blood supplement that will satisfy the vampires’ craving.

But the scientists are not working fast enough and a sub-culture of vampires is starting to arise from starvation. These creatures are aggressive and bat like…looking more like the horror film version of the walking dead then the romantic Bram Stoker version. These creatures are violent and attack humans and vampires alike. The process in becoming one is slow and the police have managed (until now) to keep it at bay.

The main blood supplier in the US is a company called Bromley Marks and this is where Edward Dalton (played by Ethan Hawke) works as a hematologist. Edward tries desperately to find a synthetic blood, both to save the vampires from starvation, but also because he still feels sympathy for the humans that are being captured and farmed. Secretly he begins to refuse human blood, causing him to slowly begin to change.

Edward’s brother, Frankie, who is a human hunter comes to visit Edward on his birthday, and realizes that his brother is refusing human blood. In the mist of their argument, a sub-culture vampire appears in Edwards house and attacks them. This is when it becomes apparent that the police are no longer keeping this treat a bay and starvation is spreading among all social classes of vampires.

Edward meets and rescues a group of humans trying to escape and he becomes involved with them, experimenting and trying to find a way to cure the cursed. This is where the movie starts to stray a little and I begin to become less interested in it.

The movie is actually good and I did like it. I wouldn’t have recommended going to see this movie in the theaters (not worth the $40 it would have cost for 2 tickets & popcorn) but I do like vampires and I knew I would eventually have to see it and $4.99 was worth it. If you like vamps, and haven’t’ seen it, don’t pay over $5.00 but check it out.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

So about two weeks ago, I went to go see The Sorcerers Apprentice with my girl. Usually I am fairly quick to post a blog about a movie, but after being tortured for what seemed like 5 hours, I had no urge to go home a write a blog about this excuse of a movie.

We decide on the movie because we both like Nicholas Cage, the CGI looked pretty spiffy and we both liked the plot. “Where did it go wrong,” you ask. I put the full blame on Jay Baruchel and the character he played, “Dave”. I must say it was really strange seeing him, because I remember him from Knocked Up and I am pretty sure he played a stoner or something in a movie so seeing him in this…was just odd.

The movie starts in the past and tells the story of Balthazar Blank (Nicholas Cage). Balthazar, Maxim Horvath and Veronica are the 3 apprentices to Merlin. However, Horvath betrays them to Morgana, Merlins greatest enemy, and Morgana murders Merlin. While Balthazar and Veronica are fighting Morgana, Veronica absorbs Morgana's soul into herself to destroy her. But when Morgana starts to possess Veronica and kill her from inside, Balthazar imprisons both in a Grimhold (a nesting doll).

Before dying, Merlin gives Balthazar a metal dragon telling him that it would find the Prime Merlinian, the Merlin's successor, and only he could kill Morgana. Balthazar searches for that kid for centuries in vain, and while looking he has to ward off evil magicians who are intent on freeing Morgana, each one he traps in a new layer of the nesting doll.

Finally in 2000, Balthazar comes across a young Dave Stutler on a school trip. Cut to the year 2000, we see a kid waking up and getting ready to go to school. Balthazar then asks Dave to take the metal dragon in his hand. As soon as he does, the dragon comes to life, wraps around his forefinger and folding its wings, becomes a ring. He is the Prime Merlinian. However we know it can’t be that easy, right. While Balthazar goes to get something, Dave accidentally frees Horvath from the nesting doll. Balthazar and Horvath fight and both of them are imprisoned in an urn for 10 years.

10 years later it is 2010 and Dave is in college studying Physics and he is some kind of genius nerd (like worse than Sheldon on the Big Bang dork…although not as cocky). Over time Dave has managed to repress the memories of what happened when he met Balthazar, but he can’t forget forever and both Balthazar and Horvath are released from the urn. Balthazar must find Dave before Horvath can get to him first and kill him.

Of course you need the girl…which happens to be Becky, a girl that Dave had a crush on 10 years ago. Obviously she is too pretty and “cool” for him, but you know how movies go. Balthazar manages to find Dave first (by a hair) and rescues him…more than once, because Dave is such a dork, and convinces him to become his apprentice and fight Morgana.

What can I say, yes, the plot was really good, but OMG I was so sick of Dave (the character) before the movie was half over. It is of course a kids movie so don’t waste your time (unless you have kids) we all know it is going to be a happy ending so do something else with the 2 hours or bring a strong drink.

Excel Trick - Combining Data From Two Columns Into One

My fun tricks with Excel just keep coming. Recently I posted a blog about how to split data into multiple columns. That is great and can come in handy, but sometimes, you need those first and last names in the same column. It is easy to just type them if there are 5-10 but when you get into the hundreds and thousands…not so much.

Let’s say A1 contains “Lady” and B2 contains “Dame”

Insert a new column in after B and in the new C column type

=A1&” “&B1

Boom

C1 now says “Lady Dame”

Hopefully this not only saves me next time I am trying to remember this fun trick, but for those of you who find it can from now on remember that combining two columns in excel is not as hard or time consuming as some think!

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe Quote - Douglas Adams

"Captain, sir!" cried Number Two - for he was their leader - "Permission to report, sir"
"Yes, Number Two, welcome back and all that. Find any hot springs?" said the Captain despondently
"No, sir!"
"Thought you wouldn't"
Number Two strode through the crowd and presented arms before the bath
"We have discovered another continent!"
"When was this?"
"It lies across the sea..." said Number Two, narrowing his eyes significantly, "to the east!"
"Ah."
Number Two turned to face the crowd. He raised his gun above his head. This is going to be great, thought the crowd.
"We have declared war on it!"
Wild abandoned cheering broke out in all corners of the clearing - this was beyond all expectations.
"Wait a minute," shouted Ford perfect. "What a minute!"
he leaped to his feet and demanded silence. After a while he got it, or at least the best silence he could hope for under the circumstances; the circumstance were that the bagpiper was spontaneously composing a national anthem.
"Do we have to have the piper?" demanded Ford.
"Oh yes," said the Captian, "we've given him a grant."
Ford considered opening this idea up for debate but quickly decided that that way madness lay. Instead he slung a well judged rock at the piper and turned to face Number Two.
"War?" he said.
"Yes!" Number Two gazed contemptuously at Ford Perfect.
"On the next continent?"
"Yes! Total warfare! The war to end all wars!"
"But there's no one even living there yet!"
Ah, interesting, thought the crowd, nice point.
Number Two's gaze hovered undisturbed. In this respect his eyes were like a couple of mosquito that hover puposefully three inches from your nose and refuse to be deflected by arm thrashes, fly swats or rolled newspapers.
"I know that," he said, "but there will be one day! So we have left an open-ended ultimatum."
"What?"
"And blown up a few military installations."
The Captain leaned forward out of his bath.
"Military installations, Number Two?" he said.
For a moment the eyes wavered.
"Yes, sir, well potential military installations. All right...trees."
The moment of uncertainty passed - his eyes flickered like whips over his audience.
"And," he roared, "we interrogated a gazelle!'

Predators (2010)

Like many people my age, I loved Predator growing up. Arnold kicking the crap out of a creature more technologically advanced…the movie was just wicked. Of course I watched all the sequels, and none of them where as good as the first.

Walking into see Predators I was rather excited. I hadn’t seen many previews for it, but the theater was as packed as I thought it would be.

The movie starts off with this guy named Royce falling from the sky.

*side note – I spent the whole movie looking at this guy, trying to remember what other movie I had seen him in…I think it was a war movie…but even after looking at IMDB, I still have no idea…maybe he has one of those faces.

Back to the movie….

Royce awakens in mid fall and finds himself in the middle of this strange, humid, jungle. While exploring his surrounding and trying to get his bearings, he meets up with other people who arrived the same way he did. At the end it ends up being

-         A Mexican drug cartel enforcer (Danny Trejo….he is in like everything!)

-         Spetsnaz soldier (the Russian equivalent to the British SAS, or our Delta Force…bad ass MoFos)

-         IDF (Israel Defense Force) sniper – the only chick in the group

-         Revolutionary United Force Officer (RUF) from Sierra Leone (I believe)

-         A death row inmate

-         Yakuza enforcer (to me….about as bad ass as you can get!)

-         And oddly….doctor Edwin

It is a strange mix, and none of them know how they got there…but they all have one thing in common, they are hunters, the best of the best.

So they chose to stick together in this strange jungle and while exploring, they stumble upon empty cages and a dead US Special Forces soldier. Now at a completely lost, they move to higher ground…only to see an alien sky looking down on them and they realize they are not on Earth anymore.  

The group has their first encounter with a ravenous pack of alien beast like dogs. The group fans out and do what they do best…survive. After the attack, Royce, who has somehow become the leader, decided that they are being hunted like a game and the dogs where just sent out to flush them out and show the hunters how the group would react. After a few minutes, they realize that they are one man down and they here the Mexican’s cry’s for help. They find him in a middle of the field. The Israeli wants to go help him, but Royce and the RUF said that it was a trap and they has both used this method to hunt in the past.

Sick of being the hunted, Royce suggest they take the upper hand and follow the “dogs” and they find the hunters encampment and find a captive Predator. While in the encampment, three larger Predators attack and the RUF solider dies (always killing off the minorities first). After, the Israeli confesses of the original Predator attack in 1987 (brining in the original movie…very nice)

While leaving the encampment, they meet a survivor, an air assault soldier (played by Laurence Fishburne) how has survived by scavenging and hiding on the planet for 7-8 years. He has gone completely insane, and although he is pretending to help him….he did not survive this long by helping others and soon the group realizes that he is just trying to kill them so he can use their things.

They escape from the soldier, only to find themselves face to face with the warrior Predators again.

This movie has a very good ending…obvious…but good and sadly I felt like they did more talking and walking then fighting and dying. I would have loved to see more action, but you can’t have everything. But this is not a movie you need to go see in theaters. Take your time…check it out when it comes out on DVD…save the $10 for something else.

Excel Trick - Splitting Data into Multiple Columns

Excel to me can be the greatest program…or the worst, depending. I am always finding new tricks and formulas to get the cells to do what I want.

Recently I had a file of over 3,000 names. I wanted to add them to our system, however, the file had the first and last name in one cell together and I needed them in separate cells.

I have found a formula for this in the past, which works, but I forget it more than I remember it. So many excel formulas running around on bits of post-it around my desk…rather crazy.

So I found this after messing around for a while and getting sick of it.

So the steps are quick and easy:

1) You want to insert a few extra columns (Since I was dealing with names I added 3 or 4 because some people hyphenate their last name or included their middle or just had 2)

2) Hightlight the column you want to separate (for me it was the column with the full name)

3) In the top tool bar select Data

4) Click on Text to Columns option

5) Choose Delimited

6) Select Next

7) Select Space  and Treat consecutive Delimiters as one– no other option needs to be checked

8) Select Next

9) Select General (may already be preselected)

10) Select Finish

Now that was quick and easy and saved me so much time with 3,000 + names.

I emailed my best friend and told her about this, she said…damn I could use that. Don’t forget! It got me to thinking, maybe it isn’t just us who could use this. SO..I tossed it into a blog…so that me and my best friend can reference it in the future and other people can find it and hopefully get some help from it 

Patient Zero: A Joe Ledger Novel

My best friend recently lent me Patient Zero: A Joe Ledger Novel. In my search for good zombie books, I had seen it a few times, but never picked it up for one reason or another, but after it was handed to me, and I was looking for my next zombie book to read, I picked it up. My friend, although he said it was good, warned me that it did take a little getting into and had its slow moments. Of course, I am thinking, this is a zombie book…how many slow moments can it have.

The story takes place in Maryland, and Joe Ledger, our star, hero and savior is on leave “suspension” from the MDPD. He gets kidnapped by these secret government officials and taken to a top über secrete military recruitment facility where after taking on a zombiefied guy of a man he had believed he had shot and killed, he is recruited by a mysterious man and leader of the Department of Military Scientist (DMS) Mr. Church. The zombie virus has actually been developed by a terrorist organization, who want to bring death to America…in a literal way.

Joe cautiously signs on with the DMS and becomes the leader of Team Echo, which consists of guys from all over military and government organizations (it reminded me a little of the “Men in Black, Will Smith would have been Joe, and these guys would have been the rest of the men in the room applying to the MIB).  His team consisted of Top, Skip, Ollie, and Rabbit. Team Echo is not the only team, Grace Courtland, who has been with the DMS for a while, is another of the team leaders, and although she was wary of Joe at first learns to respect him and trust him in no time.   

One thing that I found really funny was the Doctor. Dr Hu. yes that is right. Doctor Who!! He was the only one yelling Zombie from the beginning, there always is one…

Sabastian Gault, a pharmaceutical zillionaire, in order to earn even more money (greedy prat) decides to work with terrorists are die hard Muslims who truly hate America and her corrupt ways. He joins up with El Mujahid and his beautiful and sexually alluring, scientific savant wife Amirah to develop a virus that will spread across the world giving his pharmaceutical companies the chance to make billions. Of course, you can’t trust terrorist and Amirah seduces Gault while her husband plots a way to bring down America. Gault thinks he has Amirah and El Mujahid under control and when he tells them that the Zombie virus only needs to be at a level 3, Amirah continues to work undeterred until she reaches and surpasses  level 10 for her husband to destroy America with. Level 10 being that no longer is the virus just passed through a bit, but can contaminate the air and bring a city to its knees within hours.

And it is the DMS jobs to find out about the plot, and stop it before it is to late, and the 4^th of July is just days away!

As I mentioned originally this book was a little slow to get into and it took me longer to read then a normal zombie book (weeks longer). I actually put this book down a few times and even re-read Broken Angel by Richard K Morgan in-between (that is an awesome book by the way). But once I start a book, I need to finish it; at least it was not as bad as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies…that was just horrible. It was not the best zombie book I had ever read, but it did have a lot of twists and turns. Although I would never recommend anyone to go buy it, if you have a few days and you will be down by the pool enjoying the summer sun and a friend has it…pick it up. It is not bad and you may enjoy it.

Although I did not love this book, I will try another Joe Ledger Novel… you never know.