Passion for Learning

Today I was privy to a neat show.  I’ll let the video speak for itself.

I recently received a kobo as a gift from my wife for being the best husband evar. She thought it would be better to carry around a slim and excellent ebook reader than it would to carry the equivalent number of real books. I knew I married a smart one. Little did she know that I was the crafty one.

I didn’t like the thought of a $39 sleeve to protect the kobo unit, one made of non renewable plastics and just not befitting of the whole green movement.  I knew there had to be something as good for much less money.  I found it in the bag drawer at home.  It was a bag given out at the local urban outfitters. The bag is made of a soft fabric, almost like that of an ebook sleeve liner.

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So I’m back……with a vengeance!  I’ve been away from posting about all my flying experiences but there have been some pretty big changes so let’s get caught up.  Firstly, today I received a signed document stating that I am Night Rated and can now legally fly at Night!

The training was great and actually quite enjoyable, I have a bunch of excuses why it took me ALMOST TWO YEARS to do something that many do in a week or two.  But it’s now done and I can put a stamp on it.  I feel great so great in fact that I decided that I would take Rica up tonight to celebrate with a beautiful view of the city lights.  I think that there is something magical about lifting above the city into the dark and seeing all of mankind below you.  I also understand it’s a powerful aphrodisiac.  ;)
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In Canada you don’t generally get to shoot a gun as a regular citizen.  In fact most of us only have ever seen a gun on a police officer or in the movies.  That’s why it was such a rush to actually grab some cold steel and fire a weapon at a range while visiting Las Vegas this week.  We went to The Gun Store and R signed up for the “Ladies package” where she was able to shoot a Pink AK 103 otherwise known as the Kalashnikitty!  She also took hold of a Glock 9MM and left with the biggest smile ever!  I didn’t want to miss out on the fun so I took hold of a Beretta 9MM and managed to shoot the hostage!  Ah well it was all in fun and worth every penny, even with my sprained tigger finger.  I’m not advocating we all go out and buy weapons but I can attest it was an intense rush firing one.   Link to video in case it doesn’t open above.
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My commercial training says that I need to learn how to spin an airplane.  It would look just like this in a Cherokee 140.  Would you do it?  Or should I just rent the club’s Cessna 150?  Would knowing the airframe had over 11,000 hours affect your decision?

I’d like to say this is a video of Rica’s first landing but it’s not.  She was at the controls for the entire flight but our cheif flight instructor flew this landing.  There was a strong crosswind but he nailed it!

Jeanne’s link here. 

Soon Rica will be the one flying the landings, she just doesn’t know it yet

I have never worked with PEX pipe before but it’s the standard found in most new homes.  What also is not found is a good old fashioned sill cock.  Or for those who think I just said a dirty word it’s the tap you connect your garden hose to!

An outside tap in Ontario is exposed to temps WELL below freezing.  To counteract this most building codes insist on a “frost proof” sillcock.  The thing is cool, it turns the water off from inside the house, leaving nothing outside to freeze.  To install one requires some special tools.

Here is the drill I had to rent.  Yup that’s a size 11 shoe beside it!

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One thing I love about flying a Piper Cherokee is that it is a very stable and gentle plane.  It is a joy to fly in almost all regimes.  Today I was called in to work and when finished for the day I debated going flying in my mind.  The debate went like this “I want to fly but it’s been almost 45 days since my last.  Should I go for a quick dual?  I’m really supposed to pack on some night hours, maybe ask an instructor?”  then “What do you mean, you are a fully qualified pilot and you can easily go and fly this mission.  If you don’t fly today you won’t for over a week due to freezing rain”.   What to do.  I know I can do it, I’m legal to do it and IM SAFE.  What I was missing were victims, ah er passengers! 
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