Experienced IT Master, volunteer, husband, dog parent and aviation fanboy
Greetings froma snowy Berlin!! Its about 32 degrees with light snow flurries. Still getting used to the fact that I am actually here. Flights were long, but the UPGRADE was nice!!! Biz class from Chicago to Brussels — yeah baby!!! Nearly did not make my flight to Berlin — Brussels airport is huge!
So I have walked the Kurfurstendamm already today — to keep the blood flowing. Went all the way to the famous KaDeWe department store. It is Berlin
In less than a week I shall be back in Europe!! I’m so looking forward to this trip. This weekend I’m going to pack and wednesday I’m off!
So more virtual aviation geek stuff: Not only am I a virtual pilot for a virtual airline, I’m now a virtual air traffic controller! 🙂 I passed my initial test and I’m now certified for “Tower” for all airports in the Seattle Center area.
http://www.seaartcc.net/ is my home “center.” Next I go for approach control and start vectoring aircrafts all around the sky. HAHAHAHAHA, ahhhhh, the control… 😉
This is my cat Sam. Obviously he’s very comfy in my seat, oblivious that he shall soo be ousted. He thinks it’s his seat. Oh, how wrong he is…
I just have to say, the Olympics opening ceremonies was hysterical to me. It was nice and spectacular, yadda yadda….but that music — I was dancing in my living room, memories of High School running in my head. How funny is that. What 30’s something musical director did they have?? NOT complaining, I just thought it was funny, and perhaps a little, well, unexpected. It fit the mood perfectly, but you just don’t expect mostly American 80’s tunes pumping out the loudspeakers at an International event. Am I getting so old that the people in-charge of stuff like this are my age??! Ohyyy!
And that NBC guy at the studio — how out of touch was that!? That pinstripe suit, although I’m sure expensive, just seemed so wooden and old. He was wooden. And that interviewer talking about Bode Miller as a “Different kind of CAT…” What the hell is that?! 80’s tunes and an old guy cool CAT.
Hysterical.
I am right now piloting a 757 from SEA to MCO (Orlando for those of you airport code challenged!) I’m just crossing into the NE corner of Wyoming. 3 hours to go!
I am amazed at what the Internet can offer (and I work with it daily!) You see, I’m not just flying flight simulator on my computer alone. I’m connected to VATSIM, a virtual aviation network. Real “virtual” human air traffic controllers are directing my flight, using voice and headsets and virtual radar just like in real life. I’m talking to Denver Center right now. In a few minutes I’ll be handed-off to Kansas City Center, just like in real life. When I get close to Orlando, Orlando Approach Control will decend and “vector” (turn) me onto the final approach course and Orlando Tower will clear me to land. All different virtual, yet real people. I hear them. I talk to them. They see me on their scopes.
I’m a member of Pacific Airways, a virtual airline. I’ve made the rank of Captain recently because of the hours I’ve flown. My Call sign is PAY1837 – “Pacific eighteen thirty seven” is how you’d hear it on the “radio”
I’m an Instrument-rated pilot, and the level of reality this brings just astounds me. What I say, What I do, the rules, etc…are almost completely in sync with what the real world does.
Is this healthy? Debatable. But I’m having fun. So what’s wrong with that, eh?!
below you can see a screenshot of the current VATSIM general status– I’m the airplane in the upper-right, traversing through Denver’s airspace now (The green Circles represent Denver Approach and Tower’s Airspace) GOD I’m a GEEK!!
My favorite holiday is today! Buried rodents never get any respect, except today. Let’s give ’em their 15 minutes of fame, shall we?
On another topic, Microsoft released a public preview of Internet Explorer 7.0 Beta. I installed it at home, and am using it to write this blog entry. So far it’s OK at home. But at work it was a disaster. Completely un-useable. I realize it’s not finished, but it was such a turd I immediately uninstalled the thing. Lots of work to do for those Microsofties on the Eastside for sure!
I traveled down to SF to meet my friend Natalie for New Year’s. No bail was needed so we can consider this a successful trip! We also met-up with some friends I know from an aviation discussion board I frequent on the Internet (http://www.airliners.net/). Was fun to see those folks as well.
And the best of all, I got a new camera!! Wooo-whooo! It even has a movie function, soooooo….. without further delay, here is the first test (Windows Media player required)
Click to see THE FARTING TEDDY BEAR
Just planned my March 2006 vacation. Germany, here I come! Will be visiting Berlin and Munich.
Below is my routing — of course, it’s only one that I could love:
In New York, New York for the first time!! Not transferring planes. Not attending an all-day meeting. Actually visiting and spending some time. Here’s the pics, in random order, of my hotel room, Uptown, Brooklyn Bridge, Pride 2005, Times Square, etc… I have no idea why the time is so off! Here are the pictures
Had a fabulous time in Montreal. The weather was cold and snowing — just what I wanted! The hotel was fabulous.
I forgot my camera, so I had to use my cell phone — not bad for nothing! Here are the pictures