Carmichael's Position

Red Bull Air Races in San Diego!

While in San Diego this past weekend we had the opportunity to watch some of the Red Bull Air Races... actually they were taking place right outside our hotel room on Coronado! 

Words cannot do it justice, so here's a bit of a photo montage to capture the moments!  If only I had the sound of those props!  Wow!   Enjoy...

    

 

 

San Diego for the past 4 days... More to Come...

Been in San Diego the past four days... Lots to talk about and write about... compiling now... well,... after getting all caught up on the day job stuff!  See you in a few days probably!

Here's a taste!

Where have I been?

This was the question posed by a friend of mine this morning, as he saw my IM show up on his computer.

In answer... Here... On Business.

 

 

"Give Ken a Big Wet One for Me for His Birthday"

This was the Instant Message I received on my iPhone from a friend of mine who could not join me and a couple of other friends in Seattle to help celebrate my good friend Ken Schoeni's 40th birthday! 

I was not sitting close to Ken at the time, but Tim was... so he obliged!

Mmmmmm... Lucky Ken! Or... then again... maybe not...

Despite the wickedly moist tongue slobbering he just received, Ken, Stu, Tim and I enjoyed a great weekend of fun, stupidity, and juvenile behavior usually reserved for those a third our age! 

Ken recently took a position at Boeing as an Supply Chain Analyst, moving from Colorado to Seattle and there was no way in Hell I was going to let Ken spend his 40th B-day by himself.  Ken knew I was coming out to visit him, I had told him of my plans about 3 weeks ago.  What Ken did not know is that a couple of his other good friends were going to make the hour shortened weekend trip too!  Tim (Ken's "a-bit-too-amorous" friend in the above photo) flew in from Pennsylvania just for this (12 combined hours in the air for 37 hours of fun with friends in Seattle!)  Now that's a buddy! 

Stu, the other unannounced attendee for the weekend's festivities, lives here in Colorado and flew out with me.  Where we surprised Ken at his front stoop following a none-too-subtle knock on his apartment door!  Best to condition Ken's Neighbors early to their expected sleepless weekend!

Ken was floored when he learned of the addition of two of his best fiends.

We had a ball!  Hazing commenced almost immediately... as is the norm when we join forces.  Not for the weak constitution.  Weaknesses WILL be EXPLOITED!  Builds character!

We spent our weekend playing tourist, enjoying an occasional adult beverage or two, catching up on old times.  On Saturday night we took Ken to Daniel's Broiler to enjoy a wonderfully prepared hunk of Cow!  Wow! was that good!  The meat was perfectly prepared and expertly served!  My highest recommendation if you are visiting Seattle and have some money to spend on a quality meal!

After dinner we strolled around the docks to walk off our meal... we all overate, but it was too good not to!  On our jaunt we came across a specific vessel that many of you will be familiar with if you have ever watched the Discovery Channel's acclaimed "Deadliest Catch" program.  There moored before us among the Multi-Million Dollar yachts was the "Time Bandit".  Pretty cool!  One of the crew members saw us for the fans we are and asked if we would like to have or picture taken.  Sure, especially because it would most likely be the only one with all four of us in frame (turned out, it is... L-R Ken Schoeni, Tim Husbands, YHS, and Stu Sweet.)

 

As I mentioned, it was a fast but fulfilling weekend.  We crammed about as much as we could while still trying to relax and unwind in those 38 or so hours! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEN!  40 ain't so bad... especially if you're 41 or 42 like most of the rest of us!

Here's some of my customary photos from the trip, mostly of Pike Market... more can be found here [link].

       

Um... There's another kind?

Photos That Convey a Feeling

I play racquetball twice a week, at Green Mountain Rec. Center here in Denver.  The reason I play there and not closer to my house is that it is almost but not-quite-equidistant between me and my playing partner.  I usually play immediately after work which often is right around sunset.

Anyway, along my route (the ridge of Green Mountain) I am entertained by a magnificent vista of the entire Denver crescent  laid out before me, from Boulder to the north all the way to Pikes Peak to the south and all of the Denver Metro in-between, an impressive view to say the least. 

However even with that distraction as my eastern view, I keep finding my eyes drawn to the simple contrast of a lone Cattle Chute in a meadow to my west.

For me, there has always been something about the simple wood structure at sunset that conveyed "The West."  And I've always wanted to take a crack at capturing that feeling in a photo.  I had the opportunity the other day to make just such an  effort.  Here are the results, and I'm curious to know if you think I managed to capture more than just a "Cattle Chute."

Full sized versions of these images can be found on my SmugMug page here. 

Photos from my latest trip to San Diego

As most of you know, I pretty much consider San Diego my 'Home Town" for as much as a Navy Brat with 37 different addresses to his credit can claim one...

This last trip was to attend a Tailhook reception and then give the Managing Director of Tailhook a Briefing on the first year's performance of The "Tailhook Daily Briefing."  The Association's blog of which I am the editor.

I needed the break, and I got one.  It was a great trip.  The weather was perfect...Severe Clear in the mid 60's!  Hertz once again provided me with a Mustang, this time without the 11 inches of snow to navigate through!  And my "Travelocity" discounted hotel room was not to be believed for below $200.00 price I paid!  Here's the view out my room window!

I took the opportunity to recapture some of my 500 photos (that got lost thanks to a somewhat unsuccessful hard drive recovery... performed by a somewhat accomplished nincompoop!)... as well as take a few other new ones.  The latest collection is posted here if you would like to check out the full batch, but as I like to do here's some to tease you a bit.

Some planes... of course!  with a little Photoshop fun at Lindbergh Field.

The Beach at Coronado, to make all my snow covered friends in Colorado a bit envious.

Some of the downtown touristy stuff... Star of India and the recreation of the famous end of World War II  photo in a 30 foot statue down by the Midway.

 

And finally a panoramic of San Diego, looking a full 360 degrees from the end of the pier in the photo above.

  Like I said... A perfect couple of days in San Diego... Well, almost... If Ginger had been with me, it would have been perfect!

Again, more photos here: http://jcas.smugmug.com/gallery/4305021_nCL3k#252358952

Taking Donations!

I'm making it official, to anyone who would like to contribute, I will be glad to accept your donations to the "Let's Send John Into Space" fund!  The "Let's Make Sure He Stays There" fund is different!  We have about a year and a half to raise the funds! 

All I need is $200,000 +/- not sure what £100,000 currently converts to... I'm only about $200,000 short right now.

Hell, I promise to even write about my trip! It's sure to thrill my dozens of readers!   If you're really nice I might even publish pictures!!!

Here's the story from "This is London"

"The Virgin Galactic spacecraft, which was being unveiled in New York today, is already under construction. Test flights are expected to begin in June, with commercial flights starting 12 months later."

...Once the mother ship reaches 50,000 feet, which was the cruising altitude of Concorde, the spaceship is released and its rocket is fired, accelerating the craft up to 2,500mph, and taking it to 110km, officially making its passengers astronauts.

If you would like to find an address to contribute to or if the fine folks at Virgin Galactic would like to offer up a trip for a "Regular Joe" or "Regular John" in this case(coffee and Raisin Bran will help with being defined as 'Regular') just leave your interest in contributing in the comments section.  I'll reply in private.  Or maybe in public... we'll see!

Blue Angels Coming Back To Colorado This Year!

I know it is only January, but I definitely have reason to look forward to September now!

The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron will be once again performing at Grand Junction's Walker Field.  I know what I'll be doing the weekend of September 27-28!  I'll probably be part of the Colorado Tailhook Association contingent expected to be there in force.  And certainly partaking in the already planned 7th annual Cattle Barons BBQ at Hans and Kathy's!

Looks like some good old regular stops have also returned to the flight schedule for this season; MCAS Miramar for one, the aforementioned Grand Junction (which if you haven't been there is a great venue to watch the Blues!) and for many, probably one of the biggest surprises is the return of the Blue Angels to San Francisco (Oct. 11-12), where every year the opposition to the annual performance gains a louder and louder voice.  However, by most factual accounting that voice is of an extremely vocal Anti-Military borderline Anti-American minority.  Damn Commies!

Anyway, as always the Blue Angles demonstrate some of the highest quality flying one will ever have the opportunity to experience.  I say "experience" because you feel as much as see the flight demo!  Six F/A-18C's in "Full Blower" flying 18 inches (THAT'S RIGHT NOT A TYPO 18 INCHES) apart is awe inspiring and heart pounding!

So if you have never been, I cannot recommend enough to find a show nearest you and bring the friends and family!  I do recommend that your kids be a minimum of 8 or 9 for their attention span.  Also, is is commonly HOT! out on the apron with little to no shade, so bring sunscreen, dress cool and wear a hat (wide brims recommended)!

 

Here's the show schedule:

MARCH

08          NAF El Centro, California
15 - 16   Sacramento, California
29 - 30   NAS Meridian, Mississippi

APRIL

05 - 06   NAS Kingsville, Texas
12 - 13   Smyrna, Tennessee
19 - 20   Peoria, Illinois
26 - 27   Vidalia, Georgia

MAY

10 - 11   Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, Louisiana
16 - 18   Andrews AFB, Maryland
21          USNA, Annapolis, Maryland
23          USNA Fly-By, Annapolis, Maryland
24-25     Jones Beach, New York

JUNE

07 - 08   MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina
14 - 15   Quebec City
21 - 22   Davenport, Iowa
28 - 29   Huntsville, Alabama

JULY

05 - 06   Traverse City, Michigan
12          Pensacola Beach, Florida
19 - 20   Duluth, Minnesota
26 - 27   Twin Falls, Idaho

AUGUST

02 - 03   Seattle, Washington
08 - 10   Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington
16 - 17   Chicago, Illinois
30          Cleveland, Ohio

SEPTEMBER

01          Cleveland, Ohio
06 - 07   NAS Brunswick, Maine
13 - 14   Eau Claire, Wisconsin
20 - 21   NAS Oceana, Virginia
27 - 28   Grand Junction, Colorado

OCTOBER

04 - 05   MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California
11 - 12   San Francisco, California
18 - 19   Little Rock, AFB, Arkansas
25 - 26   NAS Jacksonville, Florida

NOVEMBER

01 - 02   Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
08 - 09   Kennedy Space Center, Florida
15          NAS Pensacola, Florida

Schedule is subject to change without notice and is
weather permitting, for everyone's safety.

 

Well... That was FUN!

Or maybe not so much...

I am finally holed up in a warm comfy hotel room in the lovely town of Waterbury CT after spending almost my entire day on the freeways of Massachusetts and Connecticut... well 8 hours! anyway! (I say almost, because the first 3.5 hours of my morning were spent finalizing plans for my company's next coolest release for our customers...)

You:  "Wow John you must have traveled from one end of one state to the other..."

Me:  "Nope,... went 94 miles..."

You:  "huh?"

Me:  Allow me to illustrate...

Today after completing a software improvement  project with our developer, I needed to traverse some 140 miles from Marlborough MA to Danbury CT.  I didn't make it...

After 8 hours on my butt, no food, and one very impromptu pit stop on the not so side of the freeway, I had had enough...  Ya see, there was this Snow Storm I drove right smack into...  weird actually went from East Coast gray overcast, to... well...  A curtain of SNOW... A lot of SNOW!  In very short order! Some 9 inches in 4 hours! Here's a taste:

At 11:45 I took a photo as I was approaching the toll booth at the end of I-90 transitioning onto I-84, it had literally just begun no more than 2 minutes earlier.

This next shot was 12 minutes later:

26 minutes later...

2 hours and 11.3 miles later... seriously...

Then a few hours after sitting parked, well not really parked... every couple of minutes or so we advanced a car length or two... sometimes only a Mini Cooper length or two, I decided that my back teeth had been floating LONG ENOUGH!  And without a Gatorade bottle to spare, decided to mark some Connecticut territory and melt some ice right there on the freeway.  After all, we weren't going anywhere anytime soon.  No one blamed me!  And through the rest of my winter wonderland odyssey, I observed that I was not the only one who's bladder could be leased out as a Workout Ball!  Seven.... count 'em Seven others applied de-icing to I-84 in the course of the next hour or two.  Nope, don't know how you ladies do it!

This next photo I took looking back behind me... it was quite eerie in that I was actually the LAST person in the traffic line on the freeway... I had just cleared an icy hill that many semi's had jack-knifed on, and where many others' velocity vector was not pointing the same direction as their headlights!Somehow I finagled my way through... never once hitting the brakes or in reality nudging the gas more than the amount it would take to advance yourself in the drive-through window at McDonalds!  Oh... Did I happen to mention my Hertz rental car for this week's festivities was non other than an '07 Mustang!  Gotta just love rear wheel drive... with lotsa torque... in SNOW!  Anyway back to the pic...   after pulling up to the all too familiar eternal line of cars on the I-84 parking lot, it was some 5 minutes before I realized that I was LAST IN LINE!  I mean no one was behind me for over a 1/4 a mile (that was as far as I could see!)  That can't be good!

It was at that time... or in the next 20 minutes that I sat parked there... I made the decision to cut my trip shorter (distance-wise... it was already 6 hours longer) than planned, call the nearest Marriott and see if they had a room for yon weary traveler.

They did!  Now if my 1/4 tank of gas holds out for another 20 miles (and maybe 3 hours!)

Miracle!  About 10 more minutes passed and we the intrepid, began once again our snow laden mosey.  We cleared through another "Charlie Foxtrot" of Semi's and "See Dumbass!!! Four Wheel drive does not make you 'Captain Invincible's!" ("Captain Imbeciles" maybe...) and the plowed road lay presented before us... now mind you 20 miles per hour may not seem like much to you all sitting back reading this in Sunny San Diego... but let me tell you it was good to get the wind blow'n through my hair again... did I mention that my windshield wipers froze up on me?  So my head was out said window a couple of times knocking the frozen crap of the ol' vinyl "flick-fluncks" (can't really call then windshield wipers at that there particular moment) with the extended ice scraper/broom so thoughtfully supplied by Hertz!  Good people those Hertz guys... except for the ol' Mustang thing in the first BIG ASS Winter Storm of the season!  At least it wasn't a convertible!  Small blessings doncha know.

Alas I arrived at my recently altered hotel... and you know... the winter scene out my 6th floor, quite warm, Internet, and TV equipped room takes on a whole new peace about it once spectate'n  instead of participate'n...

Peace on Earth to all of you... I'm just happy having a little peace here in Waterbury Connecticut.

Sleep well... I know I will...

This is Not Nice!... FUNNY! ... But Not Nice!

While on my all to brief honeymoon a couple of weeks ago (God has it been that long ago?) Ginger and I swung into the Las Vegas Hilton to try our luck at the games there.  Amazingly enough we did very well, I at Black Jack and Ginger at a particularly generous "One Armed Bandit" and at a "3 Card Poker" game.  I think combined, we came out that day $700.00 or $800.00 better than we started.  Certainly not bad for Vegas!

What struck me as funny was.. before we left to head back to our roost at Caesars, a potty break was in order.  After all, sitting at a Black Jack table for a few hours will draw the attentions of the ever-present, scantily clad (and properly boosted) cocktail waitress bearing gifts of fine "Adult Beverage."  -- Um... numerous times!

After cashing Ginger's and my chips in, we headed off to our respective facilities.  As I walked up to my selected urinal I have to admit, I was taken aback somewhat at being... well.... WATCHED!  If not Ogled!... By NUMEROUS!!!! Hot Babes!!!! 

Nope I'm not in the wrong bathroom... It appears that the Hilton has a bit of a sense of humor and wishes to challenge their male patrons in a question of Stage Fright!  Here's what one has to contend with!  My Buddy Stu wouldn't stand a chance!!!

 

  Makes me wonder what was in the "Sit Down" stalls?

Another Photo Walk-About

Occasionally I just need a break from the pressures of work... who doesn't?

And today my schedule afforded me the opportunity to take an hour to grab a bite for lunch and then, with camera in hand, take a walk about this fair City of Denver.

The subject matter really ranged today, from a little Black & White to some nature subjects, to color contrasts, and then finally a few Statue Abstracts...

Here's some of my captures I hope you like...

Photo Safari

Occasionally I get really stir crazy... who doesn't? 

Well having to seriously watch the finances (got a wedding coming up doncha know!) I really do not want to resolve my boredom by having to go spend great sums of money.

So my solution is to get out a bit, take the camera and find cool stuff to take pictures of... great therapy. 

So this past weekend, Ginger (pictured right) and I headed into the local "foothills" here in Colorado (these would be considered mountains in places like North Carolina, but here 9,000 feet = foothills) to see what interesting subjects materialized. 

It is always funny when Ginger and I head out on a photo expo together, because invariably 80% of our photos are of the exact same subject matter!

And wouldn't you know it... Ginger ended up taking better quality photos on this excursion than I... Dag-nab-it!   

Anyway, here's a sampling (Mine first then, saving the best for last, Ginger's) More of our photos can be found here [link]:

 

And now... Ginger's:

 

Whole new meaning to the phrase "Sea of Humanity"

A co-worker of mine sent this to me in an e-mail (how pedestrian...that's sooo 90's!).  But wow!  I lived in Japan so I can relate to the different perspective of "Personal Space" but this is amazing!  The story as reported on CScout-Japan is:

"...not just any pool, but a wave pool! It was broken until 3:00, and when they announced it was starting again, the following craziness happened. If you get motion sickness easily, please do not watch this video."

How'd you like to be a life guard having to keep an eye on that? 

Busy in Grand Junction

I'm spending a few fine days in on the West Side of the great state Colorado, serving in my capacity as the Editor of "The Tailhook Daily Briefing." 

We're (Colorado Milehigh Tailhookers) putting on a few events out here on the western slope.  First an Airshow for the "At Risk" youth of Mesa County, then the leader of the Colorado Chapter, Hans Schmoldt put on a big shindig at his ranch.  What fun that was!  (Check out the details over at the Daily Briefing!)

I had the opportunity to eavesdrop on a number of great "There I was" stories by today's aviators, yesterday's aviators, and yes even one of the original Mercury 7 Astronauts, Scott Carpenter.

What fun!  And there promises to be more fun today... I'll keep you posted.

Here's some of the pics from the "Aircraft Petting Zoo" we offered yesterday.

   

 

 

     

 

Florida... Business and Pleasure

I'm in Florida for the next few days conducting training on our software for one of our Enterprise Customers.  The trip afforded me the opportunity to swing by and visit Mom and Dad in Jacksonville, albeit it, only for a couple of days.

They were a nice couple of days.  To bad the alarm had to go off at 4:30 this morning so I could drive down to Orlando beating the traffic.

The time with Mom and Dad was well spent.  Nothing wrong with Golf (despite my none-to-stellar scoring) and home cooking!  I also managed to find my way out to the beach for a brief walk along the sand.  Got a few pics too, click here for the full gallery .  Here is a sampling:

Tailhook Joins the 6th Annual Grand Junction Cattle Baron's BBQ

MARK YOUR CALENDARS… 18th 19th and 20th of May 2007,

For the

Sixth Annual Grand Junction Cattle Baron’s BBQ
            and Mile High Tailhookers' Party

Hosted by: NAS Grand Junction
N  39’ 03.018’   W 108 ’38.542’
312 Dakota Drive
Grand Junction, CO

In conjunction with Static Air Show for Special Needs Children of Mesa County
Special Guest of Honor Mercury 7 Astronaut, Scott Carpenter

• Friday night:  Live music, Open Bar, BBQ
• Saturday night:  Live campfire music, Open Bar, Chuck Wagon Cookin’,  Horseback Rides
• Sunday morning:  Chuck Wagon Breakfast for Tailhookers and Out-of-Towners

Dress Code
Military:   Flight Suits
Civilian:  Denim & Diamonds   Leather & Feathers    Boots & Heels
Everyone: Bring a hat !

Logistics POC:  Doug Thompson   970-243-7500     970-261-1435

Anything else:    Kathy “The Boss” Schmoldt   970-241-7768
                         Hans “Big Gun” Schmoldt     970-243-4149

RSVP's will be necessary for Saturday night and Sunday morning.

So plan your Cross Countries accordingly, and plan to have a good time!

UPDATE:  Here is a wonderful collection of Pics from Last Year's event! [here]

If you have any interest in joining the Tailhook Association (you need not be an Aviator... just have a dedicated interest in Tactical Naval Aviation) please leave me a comment here and I will be glad to provide more details of the Quality Organization Tailhook is Today!  Or you are welcomed to visit the Tailhook Association's Main page [here] or their Daily Briefing [here].

San Diego... For a long weekend

I'll post more on the actual trip, soon.  But I thought I'd give you a little taste in pictures... A much larger collection (in higher quality) can be found here [link].

Above, San Diego skyline, taken in a time exposure using a piling as a tripod!

A sea  anenome in the Point Loma tide pools.

Fishing boat bow.

Surfers off of Sunset Cliffs.

And finally the view from our hotel balcony.  Time lapse caught the departing airplane's strobes in the background.

Three Great Days in Monterey!

I just returned from a conference in Monterey California.  The Trade Show was an excellent opportunity for us to present our software to very interested parties.  We were very popular with Internet Librarians.    The presentation given by our Director of Marketing was the best attended of all of the emerging technology sessions.  Very Gratifying!

Monterey was beautiful! [Link to more Photos]

Hard to come back to Denver and our 5 inches of snow overnight!

All of my Monterey Photos can be found in my latest Smugmug Gallery at this link:  http://jcas.smugmug.com/gallery/2054214/4/105590147

Airport Art

In my travels as a Sales and Client Services professional, I find myself stuck at airports while waiting for my connection.  Sometimes for hours!  Over the past ten years I have enjoyed the trend by airport authorities to make this experience a bit more tolerable.

New airport architecture, new and vibrant colors, better food (at more reasonable prices) and opportunities to shop at more mainstream retail outlets (not just the magazine stand) have all contributed to a bit more distractive and yes even at times, pleasurable experience during a long lay-over.

But what I have been especially drawn to lately are the growing displays of art in the passenger terminals.  Good high quality art!  Very creative, intriguing, whimsical, historical and yes, even controversial at t