Air Traffic Mike's

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

2012-01-17T09:30:00.000-06:00

It's been said that, "Into every one's life some rain must fall.".

Looks like today is that day for us out here on the East Coast.

Not that it's a bad thing, mind you.

It could be much worse seeing as how it's the middle of January. Rain rarely requires any shoveling be done.

So what's a retired guy to do on a raw, rainy January day?

Well, when the going gets tough, the tough bake bread.

Don't be surprised.

Baking bread is one of my favorite indulgences. It allows me to take out any frustrations I might have as I knead the dough. Then, the aroma of baking bread allows me to relax.

Honestly folks, name a better smell than bread baking in the oven.

I actually made some bread last week. I made Italian bread for the first time in a long while.

These lovely loaves were the result of a double recipe of my "double yeast" dough. While I was happy with the loaf and baguette up top, I was especially pleased with the boule. Rarely can I turn out a perfect round loaf. This one might have been my best effort ever.

I'm debating as to whether I'm going to even attempt some boules today.

Such is the weight of perfection.

All y'all will excuse me as I log off and ponder my bread dilemma.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Let The Carnage Begin

2012-01-04T09:40:00.000-06:00

One thing about the Iowa Caucuses, even if they have a crappy record of picking a winning Republican candidate from the field, they sure did a swell job of thinning out the herd.

Signs your candidate is getting out of the race:

- They call their operatives in other states and tell them not to do anything until they hear back from the campaign.

- They hastily call a press conference.

- The front runners mock the losers.

Let's face it, no matter how much candidates Huntsman, Bachmann, and Perry tried to paint a rosy picture over the last couple weeks, the fact remains that they are non-players from here on out. None even merit a mention as a Vice Presidential nominee.

Their problems?

Huntsman is dull. The dad from "Alf" was a more dynamic public speaker. He could be handing out gold bars and nobody would show up for fear of being bored to death. He got 745 votes. That's around 0.6% of the total voters.

Huntsman: Game over.

Bachmann is scary. Even she never knows what she's going to say next. She pandered to the Tea Party and even they stayed away from her in droves. The simmering feud with Sarah Palin didn't help her cause. Garnering just over 6,000 votes is actually a mandate. It's a mandate to quit.

Bachmann: Turn her over, Drive. She's done.

Rick Perry's problem is that God made him out of Rick Perry. He has no detectable extemporaneous speaking skills. When he couldn't remember one of the three agencies he wanted to shutter, even after he'd been given some time to think about it, he showed the world just what he was made of. He might play well in Texas, but the rest of the nation admires leaders who can think in complete sentences.

Perry: Git along little doggie.

So the field will be much narrower moving forward with Romney looking the strongest. Okay, so he barely eked out a win over Santorum and Paul. He still has a well oiled machine in place. We all saw how "well oiled" Gingrich's machine was when he had to unsuccessfully attempt to make on to the Virginia Republican primary ballot.

For God's sake, he LIVES in Virginia. You'd think he would have taken the time to READ the rules.

My prediction on the Republican nominee?

Mitt Romney.

Santorum and Paul voters are trying to send a message to the rest of the Party. When Santorum and Paul run out of steam, that will be the death rattle of the Tea Party movement.

It could also be the Republican Party's worst nightmare.

If either one runs as a third party candidate, it will siphon off enough votes for Romney to lose by a wide margin.

The threat of that puts Paul and Santorum in line for a shot at the Vice President's job.

That is also a nightmare for the Republican Party.

Both men are controversial. They are so far from the center that they will cost the Party a lot of the "middle ground" voters. Both men have enough baggage to sink a freighter. Also, in the heat of battle, expect them to be ripping into Romney on a more personal level.

Don't think for a second that someone isn't going to play the "Mormonism is a cult" card.

Why, you ask, am I writing off Gringrich as a VP candidate?

His ego would never let him play "second fiddle" to anyone else.

The field is going to be smaller, so watch just how personal the attacks REALLY start to get.

Get your popcorn and sodas folks, the show is just beginning.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Happy New Year (The Old Money Edition) Part 2

2012-01-03T15:31:00.000-06:00

There are few "givens" in the world.

One of those is that the early du Ponts made a lot of money off the manufacture and sale of gunpowder. At the turn of the last century they were so dominant in the field that the U.S. government ordered them broken into three separate companies.

That's big.

"Longwood", the estate purchased by Pierre S. du Pont in 1906 reflects just what one of the wealthiest men of his era could create given deep pockets.

How deep? Well, he and two cousins had enough money to buy the family business back from investors in 1902. Oh, and Pierre was no slouch when it came to gunpowder. Having graduated from MIT with a degree in chemistry, he was one half of the duo that created "smokeless" gunpowder.

Lest I forget, he made millions off investing in a small automotive company that under his leadership became the largest automotive company in the world.

Yeah, that one.........General Motors.

Seeing as disposable income was not much of a problem for the fellow, he set out to see the world. He also set out to indulge his passions of plants and music.

On a scale of 1 to 10 I have to give him an 11.

Pictures of the original estate with the "Conservatory" addition.

Now I have to tell you, you MUST click on picture number three of the poinsettias.

I'm 6'00" tall.

Those pictures were taken at eye level.

I'm a big fan of white poinsettias.

These were among the most fantastic I have ever seen in person.

The skies were getting grey and Wintry looking. We decided that maybe it would be best to walk the grounds and save the indoor exhibits for later.

Free map in hand, we headed out to see what we could see.

The small wooden cross was very moving. The Lenni Lenape tribe was once the dominant population of the Delaware Valley region. They were a peaceful tribe who negotiated with the European settlers.

We continued our trek eastward on the property. The next stop was the "Italian Garden" and its fountains.

For some odd reason we believed the fountains would be on in January.

Obviously, that wasn't the case.

Still, they were worth the long walk.

With nothing else to see past here, we headed back to the west.

With most of the "seasonal" gardens dormant, there wasn't much to see per se. However, to sundial was pretty interesting to spend some time examining. Maybe next time it will be a sunny day where we can check its accuracy.

We continued our trek westward.

Pretty soon we came across an odd looking building. It looked a bit like a bucolic office or a later attempt to make some rest rooms appear to match the time period when Mr. and Mrs. du Pont lived here.

It was neither.

While Chris was exploring the rest room, I walked around front.

Mr. du Pont was a huge lover of music. He had this outdoor stage and seating area built so he could hire bands to entertain his family and guests.

Pleas click on the picture of the sign at the end. I'm pretty sure John Phillip Sousa didn't play many "private affairs".

He did here, though.

We resumed our hike.

The du Pont's loved their small conservatory so much, that Mr. du Pont decided to build a slightly larger one on the property.

But that's only if you consider 4.5 acres under glass small.

The formal garden was to be the site for the New Year's Eve fireworks display. Frankly, my back was starting to spasm. Long story short, I fell off a step ladder as a teen and have had them ever since. Especially when I over do it. By this point, I was very close to being ready to leave.

However, I did want to walk down and get a view of this garden. It is where the majestic fountains that grace the estate were built.

Like the Italian Fountains, they were shut off for the Winter.

That doesn't mean we didn't see something cool.....

We saw the "soul" from one of the trees trying to escape.

I felt sorry for it.

Looked like it had been stuck there for some time.

Gotta tell all y'all, this was one of the best Christmas presents I've ever received.

We're looking forward to going back later this year.

I'd like to see the gardens in the other three seasons.

I'm a geek like that.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Happy New Year......The Old Money Edition(Part 1)

2011-12-31T17:40:00.000-06:00

One of my Christmas presents was tickets to a nearby botanical garden.

Okay.....I can hear the sarcastic remarks already.

So a trip to a botanical garden may not delight a lot of folks.

I'm not one of them.

I like historic stuff.

So if some rich guy from the early 1900's takes the trouble to spend a piece of his family fortune, turn his property into a national treasure, and open it up to the public, I have to say "I'm in."

Especially if the place has a top flight restaurant in the middle of the grounds.

So today, Chris and I took a ride to lovely Kennett Square, PA. We spent the afternoon touring Longwood Gardens, located at "Longwood", the former estate of Pierre duPont.

The gardens cover a bit over 1,000 acres. That's a lot of turf to cover. Before undertaking that sort of sojourn, we'd need some energy food.

Seeing as how Longwood Gardens has The Terrace Restaurant, specifically a fine dining restaurant called "1906", we opted to make reservations for lunch.

From the moment we were greeted, I had a really good feeling about this place. The hostess looked up our reservation on the computer and promptly seated us. The first thing I look for whenever I'm seated for a meal is the cleanliness of the place settings.

You'd be surprised how many times I've sent back silverware or water glasses because they were not properly cleaned.

Our place settings were immaculate. Not so much as even one water spot on anything.

The busboy came right over with freshly baked brioche, butter, and a pitcher of water. The brioche was perfect. Warm, slightly sweet, light, and flaky. My impression of the place was improving every minute.

Chris and I ordered a couple champagne cocktails. She ordered a "Poinsettia" consisting of champagne, cranberry juice, and a couple raw cranberries. I ordered a "1906 Cocktail" consisting of champagne, creme de cassis, and Chambord.

Both were skillfully prepared.

A few moments after our cocktails arrived, our waitress was back to take our order. Prompt, but not pushy. I like that in servers.

Now here's where you'll only get half of the story.

Chris was taking pictures for one of her blogs.

I was taking pictures for mine.

Therefore, you get my side of the story.

I started off with a bowl of mushroom soup.

Why?

Kennett Square, PA is one of the largest mushroom producing areas in the nation.

Click here.

To say it was magnificent is to underestimate it by a wide margin.

It was creamy, earthy, savory, and sweet. The crispy fried onions really set it off.

From there, it only got better.

I ordered a locally grown, cider brined, center cut pork chop. It was topped with a cubed apple relish, and served with Brussell sprouts sauteed in butter, bacon, and lemon juice, and a wild mushroom saute served over grits.

It looked something like this:

I selected a 2008 Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Chardonnay to go with it. I love wines from the Russian River region. This one was no exception. It was mildly sweet, rich but not buttery, had great "legs", and cut through the richness of the mushroom/grits and the sprouts.

For dessert, we split a locally produced butter pecan ice cream. If my butterfat level was low, the ice cream took care of that.

Okay, I published this without finishing the blog.

Mea culpa.

Tomorrow, the pictures from the garden.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

......Left Me A Mule To Ride

2011-12-30T13:57:00.000-06:00

News wise, this isn't the biggest thing to hit the wires over the last 24 hours. However, it made my day.

In what can only be described as an act of sheer genius, the Flying Saucer in downtown Memphis added a new drink.

Well, new for them.

Not for me.

Paul Ryburn reports in his blog this morning that the Flying Saucer is now serving "Moscow Mules".

While beer purists might scoff at the notion of a classic cocktail being served on the premises, I for one applaud it.

Kirk, you're a genius.

The "Moscow Mule" and I go way back together.

My late brother Bruce purchased one for me after he'd played 18 holes of golf at the late, great Salem Country Club near Elsinboro, NJ.

It was considered by many to be the "House Drink".

Maybe it was the copper mug that frosted over from the ice inside.

Maybe it was the oh so refreshing taste of lime and ginger beer.

Perhaps it was the vodka that gently yielded to the lime and ginger beer.

Regardless, it was love at first taste.

Sort of like girls, but much less expensive.

Back here in South Jersey, it isn't terribly difficult to find one.

Just around the corner at J.G. Cook's Riverview Inn, they make as fine an example of one that a thirsty soul could ask for.

And the view of the setting sun over the Delaware River doesn't hurt, either.

A perfectly prepared "Moscow Mule" by J.G. Cook's Riverview Inn, July 2011.

Not shown, the Calamari appetizer that showed up two minutes after I took the picture.

The Calamari was just as good as the drink.

While I appreciate just how refreshing a "Moscow Mule" is during the hot, dry Summer months, I also appreciate how one sip of one in January can remind me of the warmer times to come.

The more spiritual among us would tell you that's what "Hope" is.

I'm most comfortable with my assessment.

A week from now, you can see me in the Flying Saucer (live and in person).

I will be more than happy to discuss the merits of a well prepared "Moscow Mule".

A select few will be sipping on one courtesy of me.

As the middle child in a large family, I'm quite used to sharing.

In the meantime, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Cooking Between The Holidays

2011-12-28T12:27:00.001-06:00

There are a couple of topics I could tear into today and work myself up into a full roaring rant.

However, it is the "Holiday Season".

I'll save my rants for the New Year unless something dramatic happens.

We had a nice Christmas out here this year. Hope all y'all had the same.

Last night I made a run up to Philadelphia International Airport to pick up a friend and his family. They spent their Christmas in Walt Disney World.

I'm positive they had a nice Christmas.

Glad I could help out with the logistics for them.

It sort of signaled the closure for my Christmas. All is complete.

I could be planning for New Year's Eve.

Of course, New Year's Eve isn't here yet. It can wait.

That leaves me square in part of the "Holiday Season" I like the best.

If you're like me, Christmas leftovers are fine for a day or two. After that, they become a chore to eat.

Really, how much ham, turkey, or rib roast can one consume no matter HOW it's cooked?

Today, with the leftovers safely behind me, it's back to cooking Winter foods.

Cooking Winter foods is all about having a few already prepared items on hand. Take for example, meat sauce. I always try to have a quart or two of meat sauce, marinara, or any other sort of gravy in the freezer during Winter. The stuff is so versatile, it doesn't make sense for me NOT to have it.

I trundled on down to the basement this morning to see what was on hand.

I spied a quart of meat sauce. It dawned on me I had a bag of large cheese stuffed shells up in the kitchen freezer.

That took care of lunch.

Next to the quart of meat sauce was a package of boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. Chicken is a fine meal anytime of year.

That took care of the main course for dinner.

In my opinion, the key to cooking on the "in between" days of the "Holiday Season" is to keep it as simple as possible, using as few dishes as possible.

I don't know about you folks, but it seemed like I spent a couple hours every day washing dishes of some sort.

In keeping with my philosophy of "simple and few", this is what lunch looks like:

Cover the bottom of two small baking dishes with meat sauce.
Place two stuffed shells in each.
Top with meat sauce and Parmesan cheese.
Spray two small sheets of aluminum foil with Pam cooking spray and cover baking dishes.
Bake at 410F for one hour covered.

It doesn't get any simpler than that short of gnawing on a stick of pepperoni for 10 minutes.

For the record, I find nothing wrong with the pepperoni "recipe" and have availed myself of it more than once.

You can look for my pepperoni recipe, and other simple favorites just like it in my upcoming cookbook, "I Ate WHAT Last Night?: Air Traffic Mike's Guide to Late Night Drunk Food".

It's been years in the making with plenty of painstaking research. The research has been conducted by some of the most competent experts in the field of drunk dining.

One of the biggest innovations is the recipes are printed in both large clear text and "blurry vision" text. The "blurry vision" text is a patented process the gang over at Air Traffic Mike Heavy Industries, LLC. (the official social think tank of Air Traffic Mike) developed. They think that "ShitFontsed", as they named it, will make it an easy read no matter what condition your condition is in.

We're all very excited.

More to follow.

In the meantime I have to tend to my pasta dishes.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Where's Waldo?

2011-12-27T10:09:00.001-06:00

Well, if Waldo is flying on a commercial airliner, one sure fire way to find him is via http://flightaware.com.

I use this site any time I have family or friends coming in to see me, or those that need a lift from the airport.

Personally, I like the site because it gives me all sorts of information besides when the plane is expected to arrive. If there are delays to any of the major airports, the average delay is shown on the left side of the main page. Right now, as of 10:25 am, it is showing there are 1 hour airport delays at San Francisco Int'l Airport and 36 minute delays at Atlanta. That's really good information, not only if your folks are departing from one of those, but also if they are connecting through.

There are a number of services they offer their members such as "Flight Planning", and "Pilot Resources". My pilot friends require no explanation of those services. My non-pilot friends don't need them.

That's all I'll say about that.

It is pretty easy to use. All you have to do is type in the airline name in one box and the flight number in the next box below and *enter*. A new screen will come up. If the flight hasn't departed yet, it will show you the route of flight (at the top/center of the new screen). To the right there is all the other information about the flight, including the type of aircraft, departure point, destination, route of flight, date, duration, status, distance in direct miles and actual miles by routing, and fare information. If the flight is airborne, the next box below will tell you when the flight departed, when it is expected to arrive, the speed at which the aircraft is operating at, and the altitude of the aircraft.

That's a lot of information, and it's free.

For most folks, just being able to find out the estimated time of arrival will suffice.

Still, next time you have someone coming in to see you, you have an upcoming flight, or you're stuck at the airport sitting in front of an empty gate waiting for the inbound that will be your outbound, give them a try.

It'll be more accurate and honest information than you'll be able to get from the gate agent.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Lazy

2011-12-22T13:28:00.001-06:00

That's what I've been lately.

I have given little thought towards writing the blog.

Mostly, I've been doing some research online.

After the first of the year, I'm going to be concentrating on a book project I started almost two years ago. It's a fiction novel set in the near future. The subject was good when I came up with it, and it remains a good subject.

The only problem I've run into is writing the future "history" that takes the reader to where the story begins. For a fictional novel, the story has to have some level of plausibility. The main storyline itself has that. However getting the reader to that point has proved more difficult than I imagined it would be at the outset.

Hence, the research.

History has a funny way of repeating itself in various permutations. The key for this book was to find a time where the circumstances the story needed actually occurred in one way or another.

It took some time, but I'm satisfied that I've found what I needed.

All I have to do now is write.

The story itself is, in my opinion, quite an action tale. It has heroes and villains. Not all of the heroes will survive. Some of the heroic characters are based on real people. People I know personally. They may not have done some of the things that will take place in the book, but rest assured if they had to they would.

One character in particular will be based on a retired Marine friend of mine whose two tours in Vietnam I stand in awe of.

BTW, he won't die in the novel.

In fact, I'm making one exception to one of my personal rules and will actually use his real name for the character he inspired.

Semper Fi, WD.

There are only two people I've shared the actual story with. I needed some feedback and I trust the judgement of both. I told them in confidence and did so about six months apart.

Both had the same reaction.

That was enough for me to move forward on it.

Then I stopped.

My brother Bruce was gravely and fatally ill with cancer.

He would pass away less than a year after I retired.

By the way, there will be a character based on Bruce. Anybody that ever knew him will know which one within three sentences of his "introduction" to the storyline.

After his passing, it was my intention to return to Memphis and finish this project up.

Then, as it is wont to do, life sort of got in the way.

I'm not complaining.

I've had a great run starting from the day I was delivered into the loving arms of my parents.

However, this project in its current stalled state has been bugging me.

I need to finish it and get it out into public.

In what is quite rare for me, I need to do it for me.

Honestly, I don't do a lot for me.

Don't need to.

Like the line in a song says, "I have more than what I wanted.".

So, after my birthday trip January 6 through January 10, I'll resume writing. First up is to review my outline and rewrite anything that needs rewriting. I'm a stickler for keeping the timeline straight. That alone is a good enough reason for even having an outline.

I'll leave you all with this one clue about the story:

Where do you get a navy when you have no navy left?

The answer will take your breath away.

I promise.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

"Off With His Head!!!!"

2011-12-09T05:19:00.001-06:00

In a bizarre twist reminiscent of a "Simpson's" episode, some vandals here in South Jersey lopped off the head of a Civil War Statue.

Let's face it, this was no mean feat.

The statue is not a short one by any stretch of the imagination.

It's also made of concrete with the head estimated to weigh around 15 pounds.

Plenty of people are upset. The police chief has fronted $100 of his own money as part of a reward.

Okay so this isn't the first time someone decapitated a statue.

Maggie Thacther "lost her head". She even lived to see it.

Josef Stalin took a low haircut earlier this year.

Then they blew up what was left.

Wow, talk about pissed off.

Meanwhile, back in Bridgeton another statue, this time St. Teresa of Avila had her block knocked off for the second time in two years in 2009.

Ironically, St. Teresa is the Patron Saint of Headaches (among other titles).

I'm beginning to think someone in Bridgeton has a problem with statues.

Normally by now I'd be in a full blown rant.

After all, vandalism serves no purpose. This doesn't appear to be a protest of any kind. It looks to be just some mean spirited destruction.

Unfortunately I can't rant on this one. My own warped sense of humor finds decapitated statues pretty damned funny.

Not that I'd do something like that, nor do I condone that sort of behavior. One exception, if it's done to make a political statement or in protest. The First Amendment of the Constitution probably covers that in most cases. It doesn't mean you won't get a bill for repairs if caught.

Other than that it's been a quiet week around these parts.

That's a good thing.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Dear Memphis Commercial Appeal

2011-12-08T01:53:00.001-06:00

This is an open letter.

The above is not for my loyal readers and friends. You folks are smart enough to figure that out.

The opening line is for the idiots that run the Commercial Appeal.

I may have to draw them some stick figures. We'll see.

Dear Memphis Commercial Appeal,

It's with a great deal of displeasure I'm writing this. What once was a great newspaper, is slowly dying a horrible death. In the last 20 years I've called Memphis my home. When I moved here in 1991, I was pleased to see the quality of your product. You had some of the most gifted writers and editors on your staff. Agree or disagree, the newspaper always made its point well known.

In the last five years all that has changed.

In the name of profit ratio, your owners have gutted the paper.

Even in its reduced state you still had some gems. Geoff Calkins and Michael Donahue were then, and are now, two of the best at their craft.

Lose either of them and you may as well torch the building as you finally shut down.

Yesterday you laid off 9 people just in time for Christmas.

Nice job, you fucks.

One of those was Jen Simmons. I like Jen. I find her among the most interesting folks I've met. Maybe you guys should have taken the time to actually read her writing. She brought a fresh point of view to your paper. Her enthusiasm was catching and it made your product a little more hip.

I guess that wasn't enough.

She's a smart young lady and she'll land on her feet.

Make sure you folks in charge repeat that over the holidays. It'll make you feel better as you count your shekels.

When I'm in town, I make it a point to purchase a copy of your newspaper every morning.

Well, I used to.

Geoff, Michael, I love your guys' work. However, in good faith, I can no longer support your employer. The "bean counters" are killing what was once one of the best newspapers in the South. Throwing a young talent like Jen to the curb is just too much.

She made the paper better.

Her "thanks" was being tossed out the door just in time for Christmas.

Scripps Media, do me a favor. Drop the "Media" from your corporate name. Toilet paper has more of a "media" feel than your newspaper does.

Lionel Linder must be rolling over in his grave.

You "bean counters" probably don't remember him.

Maybe you should.

He'd have stood up for Jen and the others.

Count me among your former customers.

Merry Fucking Christmas/Hanuhkah/Kwanza or whatever you soulless bastards celebrate.

I'm sure you're celebrating your latest fucking "cost savings".

Fuck you and all the newspapers you're killing.

Assholes.

I urge each and all of you to not support what's left of the local rag.

I'll understand if you still do so.

Geoff and Michael have families and lifestyles to support.

Then again, so does Jen.

Follow your morals, folks.

I know I will.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

A Dog's Life

2011-12-07T04:31:00.001-06:00

You'd think that a dog would have it easy.

Well, when you look at your dog you probably feel that way.

After all, he/she is/are adopted/invited members of your family.

I know our dog, "Billy" is.

Sometimes I call him a "spoiled brat", but then I remember I had a part to do with that.

Truth be told, he's a top flight dog and a worthy representative of his breed.

Why someone tried to throw him away, I'll never know.

Ain't he a cutie?

11 months ago he was taken to the SPCA in Cumberland County weighing 5 pounds.

Oh........he was also on "Death's Door" as well.

Not that he wanted to be. Like I said, someone threw him away.

That was his reality.

His "reality" has changed a lot over the last year.

He's healthy.

He's happy.

He's loved.

And Oh My God, does he love his "Mom" and "Dad".

We sure as Hell love him, too.

I'm going to repeat myself here.......THERE ARE NO THROW AWAY LIVES!!!!

Nowhere. At no time. At any cost.

He didn't hurt anybody.

He's not a violent dog.

I can honestly say he didn't hurt anybody.

Why?

He's been here since February. It's not his style.

Somebody had it in for him.

Where they left him shows that. He was "dropped off" at the intersection of two rural roads.

His last meal, before he was rescued, was ketchup he scrounged from a cheeseburger wrapper.

The man that saved him could only do so because this little dog collapsed while trying to make it to the "safety" of the woods.

This morning that little dog is laying in the "safety" of my lap.

He's 8 to 9 pounds heavier.

He doesn't have to run.

He's done nothing but bring joy to us.

I'm not sure what happened at his last owner's home.

I'm not sure I even care.

If ever I was given the chance to meet the folks.............................

I'd take the "for a ride" and see how they like it.

In that spirit I urge you.......if you want to get a pet for the kiddies (or "chillrin" for my N'Awlins frenns) please go to your nearest SPCA.

A "pedigree" is just a piece of paper that makes the owner feel special.

Sort of like decent toilet paper does.

But that too, shall pass.

There are good dogs out there that have all the love in the world they want to give to somebody.

Like our Billy.

All they need is a chance.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Into Everyone's Life Some Rain Must Fall

2011-11-29T15:53:00.001-06:00

It's horrible outside today.

"Raining sideways" can hardly describe what's going on out there at this moment.

Not that it's been a bad day, mind you.

I got to take my best friend out for lunch.

That's a rare treat for a couple of reasons.

1. He works full time, but is presently and temporarily "on the bench".

2. We always fight over the check and he has more sneaky ways of taking care of it than I do.

3. Neither of us are big on eating lunch anymore. We both sort of "pick" through the day.

Still, we headed out into the wilds of South Jersey and grabbed a bite to eat.

Honestly, we just sort of "picked" at our lunches. Not that they weren't good. The restaurant is outstanding in my opinion. It's just how we roll these days.

Prior to lunch, we stopped by a local butcher shop and did some light shopping.

I can't tell you folks what a pleasure it is to shop like that. I'm not opposed to supermarkets. I just don't like what they charge for the privilege.

"Doc" picked up some pork chops and tomato-basil egg noodles.

I picked up some ground beef/pork for a meatloaf and a couple of ham hocks that redefine the phrase.

Ham hocks make any bean (or legume) better. Period.

Don't believe me?

Make a big pot of Lima beans, cook them with a ham hock, and serve them over rice.

That's one big plate of "happy" at dinner.

I don't have too much to say today.

Oh, one announcement.

I'm flying.......yes, FLYING.....into Memphis on the weekend of January 6. My birthday falls on that weekend. This year, I'm treating myself to a four day weekend. Two nights in a casino hotel room in Tunica, and a day and a half in Memphis (including a one off guest visit at Sunday FunDay!!!!!).

Please feel free to come visit/gamble with me on Friday or Saturday.

I'll post the reservations/flight times when I book everything in the next few days.

It's been too long since I last treated myself to something nice.

I've never minded doing stuff for other folks, it's one of my long suits. 2012 will start by me doing a nicety for me.

Sure, I could drive back and forth between Tunica, MS and Memphis, TN both days, but why bother? Even if I'm safe to drive, the other guy/gal might not be.

Besides, casinos get fun when the hardcore gamblers roll in.

People watching is not overrated.

Especially on a birthday weekend.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

It's A Little Chili Out.....

2011-11-28T07:01:00.001-06:00

It was destined to be a quiet "Sunday FunDay".

It was warm enough, but the skies were oh so dreary.

Okay, so the title is in conflict with the story.......sort of.

Sue me and get another blogger.

But I digress. Again.

After three days of "Thanksgiving food", I made a command decision.

I also made a pot of chili.

Let's face it, chili is a great Sunday meal.

It takes one pot.

It is served in one bowl with one spoon.

It is portable, therefore eating in front of the television is no sweat.

Chili endears itself to really cool condiments.

After all, name one other meal where you can mix crushed crackers, minced onions, diced jalapenos, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream together in one bowl.

Chili is awesome.

It is also one of the most subjectively judged foods in America.

To a person, every cook I've met thinks their chili is the best.

In most cases, every one of them is right.

Okay, I like my chili better than anyone else's.

Having said that, I also like other chili's a great deal.

When I'm in Memphis, the Majestic Grille serves chili every Wednesday.

As if I needed ANOTHER reason to eat there.

IN my opinion there are six good reasons to visit and eat at the Majestic Grille.

In no particular order, those reasons are:

1. Everything on the menu. Simply put, it's the best restaurant in Downtown Memphis. Period.
2. The atmosphere. Casual, yet elegant. Come in wearing shorts or a tux. All are welcome.
3. Lisa, the best martini maker in the world. A true martini is high art. She's DaVinci in the field.
4. Patrick and Deni Reilly, chef/owners. They are the best.
5. Marla, Mark, the two Michaels, and the rest of the staff ('cept for one). Outstanding folks.
6. Lauren (the *'cept for one*). She's a goofball, but also a really cool gal. You'll love her.

No surprise then that I step out for their chili on Wednesdays.

Honestly, I could eat chili pretty much every day of the week.

Blues City Cafe and Huey's both serve up mean bowls of chili. I get the chili at Blues City Cafe with two grilled cheese sandwiches (Made on Texas Toast) pretty much every Sunday after "Sunday FunDay" with the gang. I get Huey's chili any time I need to get my "Tamale Fix" on.

Both are superior chili's.

But not to Majestic Grille's chili.

And certainly, not to mine.

Like I said, chili is among the most subjective of foods.

Think I'll indulge myself in some of mine for breakfast.

Breakfast. Gonna add some cheese, jalapenos, and break out the saltines.

Mostly because I can.

Same reason I wear my "Superman" house pants.

Another friend of mine calls them "Ball Scratching Pants".

Either way, they are comfortable morning wear.

Now then, back to my chili.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

So How Was Thanksgiving?

2011-11-27T12:12:00.001-06:00

Ours was very quiet.

That's a blessing any time of year.

I looked in the refrigerator this morning.

Like most everybody else, the leftovers are daunting. Like most everybody else, we're tired of Thanksgiving food.

Not that it was a bad meal.

The turkey and my homemade cranberry relish both came out nice.

They started off looking something like this:

BTW, in my humble opinion, New Jersey raises some of the finest cranberries in the world.

Oh, and just because they sell it under the name, "Butterball", it doesn't mean that more butter won't make it better.

The finished products looked something like this:

The cranberry relish had two peeled and sectioned Clementines and a 1/2 cup of chopped pecans. Clementines are terrific because they are sweeter than oranges and give a nice balance to the cranberries' natural tartness.

There's nothing I can say about this year's turkey other than it is the best turkey I've roasted in the last ten years.

Having said that, I'm really looking forward to today's beef and bean chili.

The leftover turkey can see it's future in a soup pot tomorrow.

It was a good team effort this year. Christine baked a couple of pumpkin pies. Her youngest daughter made some "Vegan Friendly" dishes that were quite delicious.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 9.5. It would have been a 10, but Christine's Dad didn't feel up to coming over.

A missing loved one at the holidays will always lower the score a bit.

Maybe he'll come out for the Christmas country ham.

Let's hope.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Why Planes Crash

2011-11-26T04:06:00.001-06:00

An air traffic controller friend of mine once summed up pretty much every aviation accident in one sentence:

"They ran out of altitude, airspeed, and ideas all at the same time."

So how does something like this happen?

Flying around mountains can be pretty treacherous for obvious reasons.

You can't see them when clouds obscure them.

There's generally a lack of flat ground to make an emergency landing.

On a hot day the density altitude may be such that no matter what a pilot does, his airplane may not be able to clear the top of a mountain.

I also am reasonably sure that no mountain ever moved so an airplane wouldn't hit it.

From eyewitness reports visibility was not affected by clouds.

An eyewitness also stated the airplane didn't seem to be in any distress.

The pilot was not in contact with the FAA air traffic controllers. Had they been in distress, given their location, the pilot surely would have attempted to make contact.

Most small aircraft are not equipped with Cockpit Voice recorders or Flight Data recorders (the so called "Black Boxes"). They don't carry them because they are not required to. Recording equipment is rather heavy and very expensive. Without any of that data, the National Transportation Safety Board will have to guess as to what the probable cause was. I doubt they'll be able to obtain any post mortem tests on the pilot due to the violence of the crash and the post impact fire.

There's a phenomena in aviation called "Controlled Flight Into Terrain" (CFIT). Simply put, it's where the pilot loses his/her situational awareness and accidentally/unknowingly flies a perfectly good airplane into the ground. In this case, into the side of a mountain.

It's not limited to small airplanes, either. In February, 1990 a perfectly good Airbus Industries A-320 airliner crashed short of the runway at the Bangalore Airport killing 92 out of 146 passengers and crew.

Before that, in late December, 1972, an Eastern Airlines crew got distracted by a possible landing gear problem and crashed in the Everglades.

I've got a feeling that the pilot of the Rockwell AC69 probably just got a little distracted and didn't realize he was below a safe operating altitude. There are any number of things that could have distracted the poor soul.

Could have been a conversation.

Could have been something with one or all of the three children on board.

Heck, it could have been the relaxing nature of flying at night.

We'll never really know.

From the pictures of the accident scene, if it was a mechanical problem, we'll probably never know that either.

What we do know is that it wasn't the first time something like this has happened.

Sadly, it won't be the last.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

It's 4:15, If Ya Know What I Mean......

2011-11-24T03:52:00.001-06:00

Time to make the doughnuts.

Okay, in this case, turkey.

Getting up at an obscene hour to cook a turkey on Thanksgiving is a Walker family tradition.

Of all the holidays, I love Thanksgiving the most. No cards, no gifts, no pressure. Just turkey, family, community, and football.

Thanksgiving also holds some of my fondest memories.

Some of those are sad, but I'll not dwell on those today.

Right now I'm sort of *smirking* remembering the "Great Linus Turkey Massacre".

Who's "Linus"?

He was a rather large black and white *Boots* cat. You know the type. Black fur, white paws.

My folks had a tradition of obtaining and roasting big birds for Thanksgiving. Having five young men in the house made it more of a necessity than having bragging rights.

God knows we could eat.

One year, guess I was about 10 years old, Mom took this 24 pound bird and put it on the washing machine to thaw out. Linus was a known "frozen food" thief, having broken into more than one package of thawing raw meat over the years.

This time he damned near cashed in all nine lives at once.

Somehow, he'd managed to gain access to the laundry room just off our "Recreation Room".

Any other house, other than a split level, and we're talking about the basement.

Anyway, Linus found himself in the laundry room alone with 24 pounds of raw turkey.

What's a raw meat eating kitty to do?

He tore through the plastic and got him some.

It wouldn't have mattered if he'd just licked it. Dad would have NO part of any food that the cat touched.

Good thing for Linus he was fast and Dad was 50 years old.

It was a REALLY good thing for Linus. Dad was a World War Two paratrooper trained in hand to hand (in this case, hand to cat) combat. Linus escaped with his hide that day.

However, this still left us without a turkey the day before Thanksgiving.

This forced Dad into a command decision.

He called a butcher shop, Goldstein Brothers, out in the county. I sat quietly at our kitchen table as he inquired as to whether they had any fresh birds left. It had to be a big one, because in addition to the seven of us, my Mom's parents were coming down for dinner as well.

The butcher said something to which Dad chuckled at. "We'll be out there in about half an hour.", he told the man.

Dad looked at me and asked, "Wanna take a ride?".

I was always happy to go with Dad.

Half an hour later we were at the butcher's shop.

The butcher picked up what had to be the largest turkey I'd ever seen.

"Thirty pounds gonna be enough, Dick?", the butcher said with a deadpan face.

Dad just grinned and gave the guy a twenty.

The butcher wrapped it up.

I carried it out.

I thought it was the heaviest thing in the world.

Fortunately, it made it to the car, to home, and through the night safely.

Dad woke up at 4:00 am to stuff it and put it in the oven.

I got up with him.

After all, I now had a vested interest in this bird.

Bird in the oven, Dad made us some Cream of Wheat for breakfast.

Eight years and two months later, that would be our last meal together.

But on Thanksgiving Day, 1971 we sat there over breakfast and laughed.

Dad said, "I was ready to kill that cat.".

I replied, "Well, at least there wouldn't be a fight over the drumsticks.".

Dad roared.

Forty years later, here I am.

Back in the old hometown.

Roasting a bird at a God awful hour.

Smiling all the way.

Happy Thanksgiving, folks.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Giving As A Part Of Thanks

2011-11-23T10:03:00.001-06:00

As in years past, I took part is some volunteer work this week.

Some years I spent serving food to those in need. If you ever think you've got it bad, go to a homeless shelter and help with Thanksgiving dinner sometime. The first time I did it made me drastically re-evaluate my spot in life.

This year was much more low impact than that.

Yesterday I helped a friend and his group assemble Thanksgiving food boxes for the elderly and needy. A wise man once pointed to me that, "People aren't just hungry two days a year.". That is very true. A turkey and the fixings for Thanksgiving (and Christmas) are not the panacea for all society's problems. However, the act of human kindness may offer up a glimmer of hope.

There is no price one can lay on "hope".

Each box came with a frozen turkey, box of stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, green beans, turkey gravy, a bag of russet and sweet potatoes, a pound of butter, a dozen bake and eat dinner rolls, and a freshly baked pumpkin pie.

It took us about an hour to get everything assembled. That left plenty of time in case there were any last minute additions from the local Visiting Nurses.

As it turned out, we ended up getting a late last minute addition.

All we had to do after this was wait for the delivery folks.

In this case, it was a group of volunteers from the local high school headed up by an old teacher of mine.

It was really inspiring to watch these young people work together. With some guidance from their teacher, they had all 45 deliveries divided and their routes planned out.

Yesterday was a God awful, raw and rainy day. It would have been easy for some not to honor their commitment. They all showed and were excited to help.

It was really good to see.

With the meals the Visiting Nurses handed out the day before from their offices, more than 120 families were taken care of this week.

We'll do it all again come Christmas.

NOTE: If any of my Memphis friends care to make a donation, hit me up on email. I'll provide you the information to ensure the money gets into the right hands. - ATM

After I got home I had to figure out dinner.

What's better on a raw, rainy day than a nice chicken dish?

Saute a bunch of garlic toes.

Take a 1.5l bottle of dry white wine and 32 ounces of chicken stock.

Brown six cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts in olive oil. Add garlic. Add 8 ounces chicken stock and 8 ounces of wine. Add 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.Want to make it spicy, add 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes. Cook until almost dry. Deglaze the pan using the 8 and 8 combo of liquids until the chicken stock is used up. Then, do it one more time using 8 ounces of wine only. The garlic toes will break down into a deep brown sauce.

Something like this.

Serve over rice or orzo and with a nice green salad or vegetable.

I think you folks will like this one.

Time to tear up the kitchen in preparation for tomorrow.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, one and all.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

The Family That Braises Together.....

2011-11-21T08:52:00.001-06:00

Okay, so even for a pun that's a stretch.

After two days of spectacular Fall weather while on the road, yesterday chimed in with some seriously dreary Fall weather. Low, dark clouds with warm, humid air in Novemeber can mean one of two things. Rain, or thunderstorms with tornadoes.

Believe me, the worst Thanksgiving I ever went through weather wise was when I was living in Germantown, TN in 1994. It was kind of a day like yesterday, but with disastrous results for families nearby.

Fortunately, yesterday's weather eased into rain showers late in the day.

I'm not here to talk about the weather or what's slowly becoming ancient history.

I'm here to talk about food.

Good food.

Winter food.

"Make ya hungry" food.

Braised Pork In Tomatoes With Garlic, Onion, and Peppers

- 3 pounds pork loin cut into cubes
- 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 12 oz chicken stock
- 1 cup good quality dry white wine (dry vermouth or pinot grigio work well)
- 2 large yellow onions, halved and sliced
- 2 large (or 3 medium) bell peppers, seeded and sliced
- 8 toes peeled garlic chopped
- 1 tbspn Italian seaoning
- salt
- pepper

Sautee the onions and garlic until the onions are translucent in olive oil. Remove from pan and set aside.

Increase temperature to medium high. Add the sliced bell peppers and cook until they have browned around the edges a bit. Remove from pan and set aside.

Brown the pork in two or three batches.

Why two or three batches?

Well, you could do it in one big batch, but you'll get that viscous brown foam from not having enough pan space to burn off the liquid from the meat.

I know of no recipe that calls for meat being cooked so as to take advantage of "viscous brown foam".

Do it in two or three batches, capiche?

Add the onion/garlic back to the pan with the meat.

Add the wine and chicken stock. Make sure you scrape the bottom of the pan and get all the brown pieces of the bottom of the pan. Add the tomatoes and stir. Add Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir, reduce heat to medium low, and cover.

Simmer for one hour, covered.

After one hour, remove lid. Simmer for 30 minutes uncovered.

This allows the sauce to thicken. Like your sauce thin, you can always go with less time. Like it thick....well, you get it.

When it reaches your desired thickness, stir in the peppers. Heat for five to ten minutes. Adjust salt/pepper to taste. Serve over linguine, ziti, or rotini.

The beauty of this style cooking is that once it gets going, there's little else to do to it. Maybe an occasional stir or a dip of crusty bread.

This recipe is also versatile. You can substitute chicken breast, beef, veal, or Italian sausages.

It's also a nice way to pass a Sunday afternoon.

Today's plan? Pretty much up in the air. I'm still recovering from the road trip.

Looks like some "Beef Roast Therapy" is in order.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch....

2011-11-20T08:25:00.001-06:00

Hello, South Jersey.

How was my trip back, you ask?

Well, it was a bit more interesting than usual. The weather was perfect for the entire trip. That's always a plus. Another plus was getting off to an early start Friday morning.

I departed Memphis around 5:30 am.

Okay, so that's not very interesting.

However, shortly thereafter things changed.

As many of you know, back in the Year of Our Lord 2009 (December 2009 to be precise), I had a brief encounter with a member of St. Francis' flock on I-64 in Virginia.

The results were one very dead doe and $9,288.64 of improvements to the AirTrafficMobile.

I kept that in mind as I proceeded eastbound on I-40 Friday morning. It was prime time in the day for deer to be moving around.

At approximately 6:10 am I saw something moving out of the treeline ahead and to my right. The distance was about 100 yards. I became very concerned very quickly. 100 yards isn't much room when travelling at 75 miles per hour.

Sure enough, a very large doe was attempting to cross the Interstate.

I thought, "Crap. Here we go again."

She was already in the right lane. I was in the left. Seeing as how my last deer encounter didn't go so well, I decided to try something different this time.

I turned my headlights off, slowed down, and shifted over to the right lane. I figured if I didn't startle her too much she might just keep on moving.

Maybe I was right, maybe I was lucky. She didn't freeze. I assume the sound of my approaching vehicle was enough to encourage her to keep moving forward. I passed well behind her.

The last I saw of her, she was bounding over the wire safety rails of the westbound lanes.

There was traffic over there. I can not attest to a successful crossing.

However, it got me up on full alert for the rest of the trip.

There were plenty of reminders on the way to Bristol, VA.

I counted 11 deer carcass by the time I pulled into the hotel at Bristol. That's only the dead remains I could positively identify as deer. There were lots more dead critters scattered about the highway. Let's face it, by the time a creature has reached the "Welcome mat" stage of decay, it's nearly impossible to say what it really was. Fawns and large dogs are about the same size.

I also didn't include any "deer smears".

"Deer smears" are those long bloody streaks down the highway where a large truck or 18 wheeler traps the poor creature underneath. The result is a wide, bloody path lasting for days and a shortcut to the "Welcome mat" stage of decay.

There were quite a few of those as well, especially up on the Cumberland Plateau.

In spite of the carnage, I made really good time getting to Bristol. I was off the road by 3:15 pm.

I checked into the hotel. I noticed my room came with a small refrigerator and microwave. At that moment I decided that I didn't really feel like eating out or driving anymore. I walked across the street to a large grocery store, picked up a chef's salad, some freshly made chicken tenders from the deli, some sodas, and a bag of pretzels.

Since the best part of foraging is eating, I called it a day.

Sometimes, just a few hours of simplicity make the difference on road trips.

I was in bed early. After sleeping poorly for the preceding four to five days I was glad for it.

Yesterday I did something I rarely do.

I slept in.

Checkout time wasn't until noon anyway. I figured I'd wake up when I woke up. Yesterday, that meant the luxurious hour of 8:30 am.

I hit the road around 9:30 am.

As well as traffic was moving the day before, it was that horrible yesterday. I-81 in southwest Virginia is a very hilly road. It is also a major truck route. Factor in traffic for the upcoming holiday and it quickly got stupid. Seems like everybody had to be first. In all my travels I have never seen more aggressive driving. I thought one guy in a pickup truck was going to die pulling in between two semis on a downhill run.

That was all my head and heart could take. I pulled off and grabbed some lunch. I figured if I got out of that group of drivers my luck might improve.

It did.

Well, for a while.

Then I came up on the Christiansburg, VA exit.

That's the exit you take if you are headed to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Most folks just call it Virginia Tech.

It's graduates mostly just call it "Tech".

I can't repeat what I called it yesterday.

All I'll say is this. Apparently Virginia Tech has no entry requirement in regards to having completed a Driver's Education course, nor do they seem to offer one remedially.

However, they do have a sizable enrollment and after all it IS a holiday week. Everybody who stayed Friday night to party was heading out by the time I reached there. This group was crazier than the last. I had no desire to mix it up with any of them. The right lane was just fine as far as I was concerned. It took about 8o miles of driving for the mess to sort out.

Yet, that wasn't the worst thing I saw all day.

You'll see in a second.

First, all the nominees for the 2012 Air Traffic Mike Bad Driving Award sponsored by 1-800-BAD-IDEA:

- North Carolina guy pulling in between two semis on a downhill run. Just because you came from the birthplace of NASCAR, it doesn't make you a stock car driver. You'd better thank the professional truck driver behind you for anticipating your stupidity and his use of both his air brakes and "jake" braking. It's the only reason you survived that move.

- Five black guys from New York in Toyota Camry. Trying to make a right exit from the left lane is never a good move. Especially when you make a Tennessee State Highway Patrol officer jam on his brakes to miss killing all of you. Hope you enjoyed your night in jail, boys.

- North Carolina checks in again with a U-Haul trailer in tow. Note to driver: Next time you rent a trailer that says, "Do not exceed 50 MPH" on the back heed the warning. You passed me doing around 70 mph. I passed you and all your wrecked shit about half an hour later doing about the same speed.

- Maryland girls driving a Nissan Quest Van with Virginia Tech stickers plastered all over it. Trying to back down an exit ramp in heavy traffic is a great idea. Withdraw from school IF you survived the attempt and enroll in a State approved Driver's Ed program. Without that degree, the one from Tech won't matter.

- New York's back in the house. This time it's young couple in Honda Pilot, covered with Virginia Tech stickers, and a no yield entry onto I-81 in front of the semi load of BMW's. You're driving a Honda. You can't afford eight brand new 3- and 5- series BMW's otherwise you'd be driving your Bentley home from an Ivy League school. You might want to team up with the Maryland girls from Tech and see if you can negotiate a "class" deal with a State approved Driver's Ed program.

Some compelling cases, aren't they?

By the time I had reached the I-695 beltway outside of Baltimore, I was pretty sure I had my "winner" all picked out.

Then, one more person stepped up to the plate.

I couldn't believe it.

So then, without further ado, here's this year's winner of the 2012 Air Traffic Mike Bad Driving Award sponsored by 1-800-BAD-IDEA:

- Young African American mom driving a "vintage" Toyota Tercel with baby in car seat. Texting in heavy traffic is already a bad idea, but doing so and ignoring the risk to your child is incomprehensible. I don't give a rip about your life, but I pray to God your baby got to where you were going, safely. You're possibly the most ignorant driver I've ever seen. Maybe God will turn your lights on, maybe he'll turn them out. If given a vote yesterday, I know which one I'd cast my lot for. You're apparently not smart enough to either travel or be a mother, let alone do both simultaneously. If I could have gotten your license plate numbers, I'd have called the Maryland State Police.

Congratulations, bitch.

Fortunately, I made it to South Jersey without further nominees and intact.

Maybe next time I'll rig a video camera and film the trip.

Today, some grocery shopping, maybe a stop by the farm to see Doc, and a low key Sunday.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Like I Was Just Saying......

2011-11-16T14:48:00.001-06:00

Okay, so I've been really quiet of late.

At least on the blog here.

I've still found some time to piss people off. That's why the Facebook app for my iPhone is so handy.

I have blogged from my iPhone from time to time. It wasn't the most fun I've ever had.

However, I really wanted to get my point across and it was the best technology I had at my disposal.

So what's new?

How have all y'all been?

For my part, this trip to Memphis has been one of the more interesting ones.

I didn't get to see everybody. Seriously, in order for me to see everybody, I'd have to be here for six months.

So then, it's back off to the East Coast.

It'll be good to get back home.

Maybe I can get my sleep schedule back on track.

C'mon, you know you can't get enough of them.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

I'm Still Here

2011-11-02T11:17:00.001-05:00

Just painting a room over the last few days.

One coat up and drying, one to go.

Tomorrow I hit the highway and make a brief return to the Bluff City for a few weeks.

As always, Splitty the Maul will be riding shotgun.

Mauls dig road trips.

Look for more later.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

I'm About Computered Out

2011-10-29T11:14:00.003-05:00

Whew!

Talk about "vid screen" eyes.

I've spent many hours of many days this week sitting in front of this lap top.

Mostly working on the media side of this:

That's some spiffy design work by Doc.

One thing's for sure, this project hasn't been dull.

Our team is made up of a farmer/educator, a world class chemist, and a retired air traffic controller.

At various times we've had to conduct research on production, marketing, packaging, product testing, product line creation, how to keep the product fresh while in packaging, website design, and shipping.

None of which even come close to any of our career paths of choice.

I'm pretty sure that's not how Kraft Foods or Conagra got started.

The thing about black garlic is that once I tried it my mind started swimming with all the different ways I could use it in recipes.

Doc took some of the test run and made a compound butter with it. He then served it over some really nice NY Strip steaks. Black garlic also makes a really nice chip dip using just it and sour cream.

I found myself slicing it into almondine slivers to eat by itself or with a little crusty bread.

However, right now my eyes are shot.

It's a cold and rainy day here.

Sounds like a good day to go paint the front bedroom.

Especially since Christine wants it done before I head back to Memphis this week.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traaffic Mike, ret.

So I Guess It's Time I Told You...

2011-10-28T20:00:00.005-05:00

....about this:

Nice logo, huh?

It's a little thing called, "Black Garlic USA".

Let me tell you a little about black garlic. It is of Korean origins. Black garlic is produced by a combination process involving fermentation and aging. Our process takes over two months and requires a strict regimen. At the start of the process the garlic bulbs are brilliant white, crisp, and aromatic. We use only fresh, premium garlic bulbs. The garlic cloves themselves slowly chang color and texture. The skin on the bulb slowly starts to change color. By the end of the process, the garlic cloves are velvety smooth in both texture and flavor.

You've never tasted anything like it.

Oh, it's also high in antioxidants.

Those that know me know how big a "foodie" I am. My cooking is an extension of my soul. My chef friends have sought me out for feedback on recipes they are working on.

I appreciate their trust in my opinions. "Hey Mike, try this and tell me what you think.", is a compliment I have never taken lightly.

Doc did the research. He's a bigger "foodie" than I am. That's really hard to do and not be a professional chef for a living.

Over the course of the last few months, he worked at the process daily. He dialed in the recipe. While we trust our own judgement, he sought out some outside opinions on the product.

One culinary arts expert from Philadelphia said, "It's the best black garlic I've ever tasted.".

In the meantime, I've spent weeks bird dogging the Internet for packaging, oxygen absorbers to keep the product fresh in the packages, bottles and caps for the oil and vinegar products, etc. Researching and finding supplies is grunt work, but I have the time to do that.

This week past we have been working on the website. It isn't the flashiest, but for now it suits our needs.

(Yo Paul and Otto, I might need to have a website design "Beer and Dinner Meeting" with either or both of you next week. Send me an email as to when you guys are available.) -ATM

I'll be bringing back a limited supply of black garlic with me when I return.

Some I'll be giving away to close associates and chefs for them to sample.

The rest will be for sale.

You guys know me. I'd give it all away so everyone could enjoy a huge treat.

Unfortunately, the practical matter is that this is a start up business. We have costs to recoup.

The good news is that our price, even using premium grade U.S. #1 garlic, our prices are much lower than those of any competitors.

We're also made in the U.S.A., not shipped from overseas and repackaged by a second level entity.

Ladies and gentlemen on behalf of Doc,and the rest of us, I welcome you to "Black Garlic USA".

Apron up, folks.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Back For A "Limited Time" From Food Hell.....

2011-10-24T10:05:00.002-05:00

the McRib Sandwich.

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

There are those that are big proponents of the thing.

I'm just not one of them

Give me Central BBQ any day.

For the rest of you, good luck with that next McRib sandwich.

May God have mercy on your stomachs.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Warning: Really Bad Pun Ahead...

2011-10-21T11:18:00.004-05:00

Splitty the Maul gave me a hand with a small household project today.

Mostly, it was moral support seeing as there wasn't much room to work.

Splitty opted to "help" by having a beer in the kitchen.

Splitty is good like that.

It didn't take much time. Most small household repairs don't.

After all, once someone builds, wires, and installs the guts of the plumbing, everything else pretty much just bolts or screws on to the house.

I tossed the used part into the trash can.

Splitty looked over at it. It took him a minute, but he finally gave his assessment.

"A lot of family history passed through there."

Not much else I could add to that.

Tune in next time, when we hear Splitty say:

"MY BEER KOOZY CAN KICK YOUR BEER KOOZY'S ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!."

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Like Some Cheese With That Whine?

2011-10-18T09:19:00.005-05:00

Texans are some of the biggest f*cking babies in the world.

They like to brag about how tough they are.

Some of them still refer to what's basically north Mexico as "The Republic of Texas".

One of their slogans is "Everything is bigger in Texas".

Okay Texas, here's a new slogan.

"We're A State Of Whiny Bastards!!!!"

You're the state leading in the creation of jobs. Unfortunately, most of those "jobs" are minimum wage paying, service industry jobs.

Maybe you can change your state motto to "Do you want fries with that order?"

Texans are whining about Longhorn football. They're whining about the demise of the Dallas Cowboys.

Let's not even talk about the Houston Texans football program.

Not out of disrespect, mind you. It's just that even Texans don't talk about it.

Let's face it, most of Texas is suitable only for testing nuclear devices. The state tree, the Mesquite shrub, is only usable for smoking meat. If it weren't for the presence of oil, the state would largely be empty.

If solar power can do only one thing, I would hope that it could rid us of Texas and it's whiny citizens.

Their latest whine really sticks in my crawl.

You ask what it is?

They are whining over the fact that NASA didn't award them a used Space Shuttle.

Oh my fucking God, the horror.

Why would they even consider giving Texas a shuttle?

It's not like Texas is a top tourist destination. Texans go back to Texas, kind of like a dog turns around to sniff its own shit after taking a dump. Other than that, I'm not sure I know someone who has gone there other than to visit family. Family who are stuck "Living the Dream" of being stuck in ~~North Mexico~~ Texas.

Texas was given a fully equipped Saturn V rocket after the Federal government scrapped the Moon program. What did the Texans at NASA do with it? They left it outside in the salt laden air of Houston.

It took over thirty years of rotting away for them to figure out they should build a climate controlled structure around it.

Nice.

Way to go.

The idea likely came from a NASA employee transferred to Texas.

Oh yeah, and while we're at it, let's talk about Presidential security. Texas couldn't even protect President Kennedy on his November, 1963 visit.

Nice job, guys.

Then, to go even one better, you couldn't even protect the man accused of killing the President.

Maybe the state motto should be "Ship of Fools".

You gave us Lyndon Baines Johnson and George W. Bush as Presidents (although you DID kill Kennedy to get the former in the White House initially). Eisenhower was born in Texas, but his family was smart enough to get the fuck out.

Now, you Texans want to foist off Governor Rick Perry on the country.

Rick Perry couldn't spell NASA even if you spotted him two consonants and a vowel.

So you guys want a used shuttle?

Maybe you should get off your asses and gather up the missing pieces of the Space Shuttle Columbia.

Nice job, Houston.

You guys probably could have warned the crew of the ice damage sustained after you took control of the flight. After all, it happened on your watch.

For all their whining, Texas just isn't worth it.

So here's what we do.

We sell the land and citizens back to Mexico and lease the mineral rights. It'll take a lot of material, but we then build a 100 yard wide, electrified razor wire fence. That should protect the surrounding non-whiny states. If it doesn't, then authorize the neighboring states to shoot to kill any whiny Texans trying to enter the United States illegally.

If Texas then wants to be a free country, let them ~~whine~~ fight for their independence from Mexico.

Screw you Texas, you're just not worth it.

Until the next time, all y'all (except for Texans) take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

A Few Steps Closer

2011-10-13T20:12:00.006-05:00

That's what today was about.

Projects, both big and small, always move forward in steps. Most of the time, the steps are small. Today was no different.

After much research, packaging was decided on.

Packaging the product is important in any number of ways. Keeping the product stable, giving it "shelf life", and a "presence" marketing wise are all so important. It has to mesh seamlessly with both the product and the label. One small mistake can leave a great product darn near invisible no matter how hard you market it.

"Doc" is without a doubt the expert on that and product development.

My long suits are in research, writing, and working with "Doc".

I honestly can say we have a good system that's been tested under fire over the years.

But that's another blog for another time.

We also ordered some other packaging items for another line of product that came into view in the last couple days. It was a stroke of genius that I wish I could take credit for.

Alas, I can not.

As soon as I got the text, I texted back one word.

"Brilliant".

It really is.

It will come on line simultaneously with the main project.

Watch here for the website roll out. It will be a full service website with secure ordering/payments and customer support.

Those of you that have my cell number can always call me directly.

Packaging is en route, the product is in its finishing stages, and labelling is being developed over the weekend.

It is the best thing you've never had.

Soon, you'll be able to drop the *n* out of "never".

Thank me then.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Some Days Feathers, Some Days Chicken

2011-10-12T17:35:00.003-05:00

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I'll not be out on the Chesapeake Bay striper fishing this weekend.

Honestly, looking at the weather forecast, it is probably for the best.

If any of you have been fishing in the Fall you know just how fickle the weather can be. One minute it is beautiful. The next minute, the "Perfect Storm".

In any case, all of the factors were way out of my control. Just like most things.

I'm pretty sure I'll survive.

The good news is that while discussing the new project at hand, "Doc" formulated a brilliant application for it.

Just like the product, it is simple yet complex. It is a subtle use of the product, but it will yield some amazing dishes.

As most of you know, I am a pretty decent amateur chef. Not the best, but I can hold my own.

Believe me, if this stuff wasn't worth a damn I'd tell you.

It is really THAT good.

I have a Memphis chef in mind to premiere it when I get home. I think that's the best way for my friends there to taste it.

The food's on me kids.

I'll also be inviting some chef friends of mine to dine with us.

Do NOT RSVP as *attending* and not show up.

You will be excluded from any further product roll outs.

It is going to be special.

It is going to be fun.

You WILL tell all your friends about it. Not because I am ordering that, but because it is THAT good.

Wait until you order some and use it. Your family, your friends, your spouse, your significant other will be astounded.

Honestly, what is better than surprising someone you love with a dining experience they've NEVER had?

"Foodie" friends and Chef friends get ready.

I'm fixin' to hook you up.

You will be pleased.

I look forward to your feedback after the fact.

Coming to a city near you (if you're in Memphis) in less than three weeks.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Memphis In The Meantime

2011-10-11T11:15:00.004-05:00

It's true.

I'm headed off to Memphis in a few weeks.

The condo doesn't Winterize itself.

Besides, I need me some Memphis. Even if it will only be for a couple weeks.

For those looking forward to seeing Christine again, I have some bad news. I'll be "flying solo". Her workload won't permit a two to three week trip right now.

Come Spring, I guarantee things will be different.

It will be good to see the Memphis gang again. While my life keeps me away these days, there isn't a day goes by that I don't think of you one and all. It is a blessing to have so many friends in so many places.

I will see y'all at the end of this month.

Meanwhile, I do have some fun stuff coming up.

Looks like I'm going striped bass fishing with my best friend this weekend. "Stripers" as we call them, are some of the best tasting fish on the East Coast. They are the larger, sea going cousins of Croppie. They get much larger and put up much more of a fight than their fresh water kin.

If we catch one or one hundred matters not.

Another day of fishing with my best friend is a priceless time.

However, I think we'll have something for the stove upon our return. Rarely have we been "skunked" fishing.

In other news, there's a project afoot. I'm pretty excited about it, not only for the potential but the product itself.

"Doc" brought some out for a taste test the other day. After all, it IS his "baby". I thought I was blown away by the idea of it. I was completly blown away yesterday.

Seriously, it is THAT good.

I guarantee you nobody in Memphis presently has it.

I guarantee you that any chef or foodie will understand it right away.

Like so many other great things, it is both simple yet complex.

Once you have some, you'll want more.

It will kick your "cooking mind" into high gear.

At the same time, you will appreciate it by itself for its simple elegance.

I won't tell you yet what it is.

That will have to wait.

Just know this. Starting in early January, you will have a new food obsession.

A lucky few will get a taste of it when I get home at the end of the month.

Those that are on my list will be notified shortly before I come back to Memphis.

If you don't receive an invite, please don't be offended. I can only bring a limited amount with me.

If you do receive an invite, please show up. You won't want to miss this. If you do miss this, I will likely have to exclude you from other product roll outs.

That's all I can say for now.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

On Train Crossings

2011-10-10T10:27:00.003-05:00

My grandfather always had a saying about trains coming up on a crossing.

"There are only two things a train can do to you at a crossing. It can make you late or it can kill you. Always look both ways and always abide by the gates and signals.

It seems like such simple common sense.

Grandpop always had good advice like that.

Yet, people try to beat trains at crossings every day.

Five teenagers were killed in this one. The driver went around the gates, never even stopping.

I strongly advise you folks to show that to any young drivers in your family.

When I lived in Germantown it seemed like once a year some kid attending Houston High School cashed in his/her diploma at one of the railroad crossings in town.

This weekend in California a mother was out pushing her baby in a stroller.

You would think that a mother would value the safety of her baby above all else.

Read on and watch the video.

Let me reiterate:

"There are only two things a train can do to you at a crossing. It can make you late or it can kill you. Always look both ways and always abide by the gates and signals.

If anybody I know gets killed for ignoring this simple advice, remember this.

I will still be here to write your obituary and speak at your funeral.

My words will not be kind.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Friday, Friday.....FRIDAY!!!!!!!

2011-10-07T12:30:00.006-05:00

Okay, so every day is "Friday" when you're retired.

That doesn't mean a brother can't get stoked up for a Friday.

Today's weather is gorgeous. Christine and I are off to Harper's Ferry for a family reunion tomorrow.

Fall weather abounds around us.

Best of all, "Boney Billy" is going with us.

He loved our week there earlier this year.

So did Splitty the Maul.

Oh yeah, Splitty's going too.

This afternoon I'll be prepping my famous marinated vegetables.

The copious amounts of Feta cheese makes it even "mo' bettah".

I also have promised to make two salad dressings for Christine's mom's salads.

A nice blue cheese dressing and my own celery vinaigrette.

I like the celery vinaigrette. It has a unique flavor that brings out the best in any green salad. It is crunchy, garlicky, and herby. I worked diligently on this for many months.

It's that good.

In the meantime I'm crock potting one of my Fall favorites:

Boneless turkey breast simmered in onions, celery, garlic, and ground savory.

Folks, it really is THAT good.

It's also simple.

I gotta tell you folks something,

Today is the sort of day I always dreamed of when I was working.

The weather is perfect.

I'm more content than I can express.

The aroma from the kitchen is both inviting and comforting.

A little dog someone threw to the bowels of Hell, only to be saved by the skin of his teeth, is snoring on his soft, warm dog bed. He's awakened twice and walked over to make sure I'm okay.

Well, that and to get his ears scratched.

Christine and I spoil him a bit.

He deserves it.

We all do.

I won't post a blog tomorrow due to the family reunion.

Hopefully, I'll get one up on Sunday after we return.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

"Now is not my time."

2011-10-04T19:43:00.006-05:00

And so it goes.

Governor Christie of New Jersey decided to stay put. It ended months of speculation as to whether he would run for the Republican Presidential candidates spot.

Given the way all the other candidates are being vilified, I can't say that I blame him.

I'm sure there are a lot of other reasons he's not running.

Here's how I see it.

The field of candidates is overflowing. It's like a really bad buffet. There's a little something for everybody, but no one person the Party can embrace as a whole.

Mitt Romney came out as the early front runner. Unfortunately, he has a lot of things people can pick him apart on. His record as Governor of Massachusetts wasn't exactly a gem. His State mandated health care plan gets hung around his neck like a rock by his competitors every chance they get. His stiff and aloof mannerisms don't really play well on camera, be it during debates or campaign stops. In a Party dominated by conservative Christians, being a Mormon is not an asset. It may not be a deal breaker, but it isn't a bargaining chip by any stretch of the imagination.

For the record, I have friends and former coworkers who are Mormons. I can not say a bad thing about any of them. Fine people, one and all. Just don't try to bum a smoke from them.

The other Mormon in the field, Jon Huntsman, is probably the most electable of the lot. Unfortunately, he gets scarce notice. For a lot of the Party he's too middle of the road. The Tea Party faction, whose demise I predict in 2012, would never stand for him. He worked for the Obama Administration as Ambassador to China. Then again, he's also worked for Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush. He's also been the Governor of Utah, and spent time as the CEO of his family's company. That's a pretty strong resume, one that should make him one of the top prospects. Unfortunately, he has very little charisma. Even less than Romney. His speeches have all the pizazz of a bowl of oatmeal. He's already faded, but presses on in hope of a miracle.

Rick Santorum is best summed up by Googling his last name. I'm not sure who he pissed off, but that's a pretty rough slap back. He's way in the back of the field with Huntsman and Newt "Have You Seen Me?" Gingrich. He has a real "likability" problem. The last politician that gave me the creeps this bad was Michael Dukakis.

This is what a bad photo op looks like.

Newt Gingrich only has one real problem with his campaign. Unfortunately, the problem is that he's Newt Gingrich. He has no new ideas. Early in the campaign his attitude cost him some key members of his staff. Having two divorces under his belt doesn't really add any luster either. Especially cheating on wife number two with his current wife. She was one of his staffers. Nice touch. Maybe he should change his nickname from "Newt" to "Santorum".

Apologies to Mr. Santorum for that last link.

I promise I won't use it again.

Michele Bachmann sort of scares me. Not because she's a strong willed woman. I can respect that. What scares me is that she has moments of clarity where she brings up some really good points. Then, out of nowhere, she has a full blown H. Ross Perot moment and goes right off the deep end. You can review it for yourself here. That's way too much typing for me. Bottom line for her is that her campaign is toast. She lost two top members of her campaign earlier this year. A bunch more jumped ship today. Campaign staffers jump when it is obvious that the campaign has failed.

Herman Cain comes as a surprise to me. He's never held a public office, although he did run for one a few years back. He's been a successful businessman, a radio talk show host, and a minister. His first job was working as a mathematician in ballistics as a civilian employee of the U.S. Navy.

Sounds like a fun job.

Mr. Cain is currently rising in the Republican polls. Early on he aligned himself with the Tea Party. He is a pretty engaging speaker and seems to be a quick thinker. He's thrown a barb or two around and come out on top.

However, I think his surge will have a brief run. I think he's been the beneficiary of Texas' Governor Rick Perry's implosion. The good Governor has taken one of the best planned political launches and turned it into a train wreck. He and his handlers had to know that every one of the other candidates would be gunning for him. All he had to do is stick to the script. In his defense, it seems like he wants to be his own man and answer questions as he sees fit. The down side is it seems he has limited ability to formulate a reasonable response. The California debate was bad. He stammered and looked horribly uncomfortable. The Florida debate was worse. Any goodwill his handlers earned him coming into the race is all but gone.

He's dropped nearly twenty percentage points in the polls since he entered.

That's pretty impressive. Most candidates would have to have an affair or run over a daycare van.

Perry has succeeded by simply opening his mouth.

I'm not even going to bother bringing Sarah Palin into this conversation. She's irrelevant at this point except to say she's been treated harshly by the candidates and the media. In defense of the candidates and the media, there have been many times where Ms. Palin initiated the fight.

So then, Governor Christie has watched all this shenanigans. He saw all the grief Palin got when she bailed out of the Governor's office halfway through her first term. He's seen what happens to the new guy jumping into the Presidential pool, especially when they come out and step right into first place.

Why in God's name would he want to put himself and his family through it?

They really should change the term from "vetting" to "gutting" when it comes to running for an Executive Branch office.

Honestly, I think the big money machines behind the Republican Party finally realize that the field needs to shrink, not grow. The messages are getting diluted and cluttered.

I'm not saying I'm not enjoying it.

In a weird way, the field of Republican candidates reminds me of the old "Our Gang" short films.

Except the "Our Gang" kids worked things out in the end.

There will likely come a time when it is Christie's "time".

Maybe by then the schism in the GOP will have healed a bit.

Or not.

It's been good to be away from the blog for a week.

I've been working on a few things.

It's good to be back.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Corned Beef And Cabbage

2011-09-27T09:57:00.006-05:00

My melancholy cloud has lifted.

Well, sort of.

I am loathe to indulge my "down" times.

I did once.

It damn near killed me.

Last night I purchased a couple of corned beef briskets and a head of cabbage. Neither corned beef, nor cabbage, is recognized as a theraputic treatment for depression.

*not two Prozac tablets*

Well, not so far as I know.

Regardless, my funk hadn't lifted by dinner time.

Instead of having the corned beef, I called in a pizza and large meatball/provolone sandwich to the Italian Kitchen and had Christine pick them up.

Pizza, especially Geno's, is comfort food by the slice.

The meatball sandwich was amazing.

I felt much better.

So today, it's corned beef and cabbage.

Unfortunately, just as I was feeling better, I read this article.

Outside of pilots and air traffic controllers, nobody can even fathom the horror of a "near miss" or "mid air collision".

Trust me.

I've walked through those fires of Hell.

It wasn't pretty.

I stopped a "mid air collision" on May 11, 2001 at roughly 9:15 am. The wreckage would have fallen on three casino/hotels in Tunica, Mississippi. There were 157 passengers and crew on the airplanes involved. One was a B-737 flying from DFW to Memphis, the other was a E145 regional jet flying from Memphis to Houston Intercontinental Airport.

The flaming wreckage would have killed (according to an expert's estimate) around 500 to 1,000 people on the ground.

That, by the way, was a conservative estimate.

How did this situation come to pass?

The controller woking the Delta jet gave his plane the wrong altitude.

He sure as Hell didn't mean to.

Dave was, and still is, a very competent air traffic controller.

I was pretty busy with a number of departures climbing out of Memphis International.

As I was scanning my radar screen, I was stunned to see an arrival at the same altitude as one of my departures.

I stood up, keyed my microphone and yelled, "CONTINENTAL EXPRESS TURN RIGHT HEADING THREE SIX ZERO IMMEDIATELY!!!".

For the record, I can yell really, really loud when necessary.

They didn't respond.

However, I observed them making the turn.

I also observed their radar target merge with the Delta aircraft.

At that moment everybody in the radar room thought the aircraft had hit.

I was in the process of trying not to pass out from trauma.

The controller next to me was crying.

Because of the hard turn I issued and the pilot's understanding of the tone of my voice, the planes missed each other.

The Continental pilot cranked the plane hard right in a move that surely stunned the passengers.

It was only then that the Delta crew "saw the Continental jet through the clouds".

The Delta pilots' words, not mine.

The distance?

37/100th's of a mile, same altitude, at 500 nautical miles per hour.

It was a "swish/swish" at 7,000 feet.

I had nightmares for over two years after that.

I had the "pleasure" of reliving that moment almost every night.

Like I said, it damn near killed me.

I blamed myself for not seeing it sooner.

The level of depression was crushing.

Unfortunately that's just part of the job.

Some men and women go through their entire careers with nothing bad ever happening.

Others are witnesses to the most horrifying events you can imagine.

I'm sure the pilots of the two aircraft involved in the Hong Kong incident were shaking in their shoes during and after the event.

I'm sure the air traffic controllers involved were no less shaken.

Air traffic controllers value pilots' and passenger's lives above all else.

I never met one that didn't.

My heart goes out to those involved in the near miss yesterday.

I don't feel as bad as I did yesterday.

In fact, all things considered, I'm in a good place.

My mind is at peace.

Except for the folks involved with the near miss.

I know what they are going through.

If y'all have nothing else to pray for today, pray for the pilots and air traffic controllers involved, peace of mind.

Y'all can't fathom just how much they all need that today.

I, for one, am glad you can't.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

"I Have More Than What I Wanted."

2011-09-26T16:02:00.002-05:00

22 seconds into the song.

One sentence.

Seven words.

They define, at least, one life.

Thank you.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Mungday

2011-09-26T11:37:00.007-05:00

"Mung" is a slang term from my college days.

Believe me, it is in no way a complimentary term.

It best describes how I feel this morning.

No, I'm not sick.

I have few pains, all of which I've had for over twenty years.

My wants are small, my needs far fewer.

I could put my "dreaming cap" on and think of all the big things a grown man could ask for.

That would be a waste of time.

There's nothing on any list that would profoundly change my life. Like the line in the song "Wasted On The Way" goes, "I have more than what I wanted."

I think that's the best line of any song ever written.

Still, even feeling that way every day, today it isn't enough.

I feel sad today.

Very sad.

Sad in only the way a boy who doesn't have his mother anymore can understand.

Mom left us back on January 29, 1993. She sure as Hell didn't want to go, but her body gave her no choice. A stroke she suffered the preceding Friday took her voice leaving her nothing but hand signals by the time I arrived that afternoon.

By the grace of God and the determination of Richard "Dick" Childress, I was on the jump seat of a sold out United Airlines Boeing 727 heading to Philly via Chicago.

Let me tell you folks about Dick Childress.

Dick was a growly looking, no nonsense guy. If you wanted to see what "old school" air traffic control looked like, you need go no farther than Dick. His voice could best be described as "nicotine and whiskey" aged. When Dick gave an order, it sounded like it just came from God.

He reminded me of my own father. That was something I shared with Dick one night over a "rough day" beer after work.

That "voice of God" would come in handy the day Mom had her stroke.

Dick took the call from my brother Kevin. Everybody, Dick included, knew my mother was in dire straits. I had been flying home every weekend for two months to spend my weekends with her.

I was working in the radar room.

I heard the phone ring.

A chill ran up my spine.

I couldn't bear to turn around.

Dick got up from the desk and walked over.

I froze.

He put his hand on my shoulder.

He waived to the controller handling the land line coordinations. The signal was to get me off the radar scope.

I stopped breathing.

Richie, the guy handling the land lines, plugged in. I gave him a briefing on the traffic and stood up.

Dick put his arm around me.

"Your brother is on the phone."

It was then I looked at Dick. He had a tear rolling down his cheek.

I took the call at the Supervisor's desk.

Kev gave me the details.

Everything in my world went upside down.

I put the phone back on the hook.

My heart was racing. I had to get home.

Dick looked at me and said, "Hang up your headset ML(my operating initials). I'm taking you off the schedule until you tell us when you'll be back. Go be with your mom."

Biting my upper lip so as to keep myself from crying, I just nodded at him and walked to the break room.

Then I lost it.

I called my wife and told her what had happened. I asked her to pack my bag and include my black suit.

Then I called the various airlines.

Northwest?

Sold out, jump seat occupied.

Delta?

No flight until the next day.

Continental?

No flight until that night with a connection in Newark, NJ.

United?

Sold out, jump seat available.

Dick came in the break room. He asked if there was anything he could do. I told him I'd wanted to get on the jump seat to Philly via Chicago on United.

He said one word.

"Done."

I signed the necessary paperwork. Nothing was filled in. Dick said, "I'll take care of the rest. You go get your stuff.".

Normally, the paperwork process took a couple days. It required my immediate Supervisor's signature, the Air Traffic Manager's signature, and passes issued from a controlled series of forms for security reasons.

I just signed and drove home.

Dick got done three days administrative work in less than one hour.

That was amazing, especially in light of the fact that my Supervisor was on vacation that day.

Dick actually transferred me to one of his Supervisors (I worked under another Area Manager at the time) so the Supervisor on duty could sign my paperwork legally.

I didn't find that out until later in the year.

Dick called me at home. I'd been in the door for all of 30 minutes.

"Paperwork's all in order. Your flight leaves at 1:30 pm. Plane change in Chicago now. I talked to United's ops manager here. You're good to go. See me in the TRACON."

All I could do is choke out a, "Yes sir.".

My ex drove me to the airport. I was a wreck. I had no idea what I would find when I got to Mom's hospital bed.

I walked in the door to the air traffic control tower. Dick was seated at the secretary's desk.

He wanted to see me in person.

I walked in.

Dick stood up and handed me the envelope with the jump seat passes and paperwork.

I shook his hand, tears blurring my vision.

All Dick could choke out was one word.

"Damn.".

The ride to Chicago was bumpy as Hell. The crew couldn't find smooth air anywhere between Flight Level 200 through Flight Level 330(20,000 feet through 33,000 feet MSL). I barely noticed.

When we reached our final cruising altitude, the Captain asked me if I was going to Philly for some play time. I told him what was going on. It turned out that he had just lost his wife to cancer a few months prior.

I felt bad for bringing the subject up after I heard that.

Later in the flight as we approached O'Hare, the Captain called Chicago base ops to notify we were "in range". Ops gave the pilot our gate number and asked if there was anything the crew needed.

I thought it odd the Captain started talking in a hushed tone, but gave it no thought thereafter.

At least until we got to our gate at O'Hare.

I got off the plane, thanking the Captain and crew for having me aboard.

As I walked up the jetway, an electric cart was right there. The sign the driver was holding said, "Mr. Walker, PHL".

I was not expecting that at all.

As we rode to the connecting flight the driver said, "You must be a very important person."

I asked back, "Why?".

He said, "My base ops manager told us that it was imperative, our number one mission, to make sure that a jump seating Mr. Walker from Memphis made the Philly flight on time.".

I made the flight.

Mom was able to communicate via hand squeeze(one for "yes", two for "no") that she wanted me to have a priest come in and give her the Sacrament for the Sick and Dying (the Last Rites).

It will always be the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

Mom's eyes never sparkled more brightly than that afternoon.

She closed them minutes after the priest left.

They never opened again.

A few weeks later, after my ex and I returned from Philly, I stopped to see Dick.

I thanked him for all of his help and told him what happened in Chicago.

Dick got an impish grin on that smoke craggled face.

"ML, I just called in a few favors."

He went above and beyond the call of duty. Not because he had to, but because that's what Dick did.

Beneath that gruff exterior was a caring man with a heart of gold.

Oh......you noticed I'm speaking of him in the past tense?

Sadly, I have to.

Dick died a few years later of an aneurysm.

The same thing that took my father from us a week short of his 59th birthday.

For the record, my father Richard was also known as "Dick".

He'd have liked Dick Childress.

They were cut out of the same tough bolt of fabric.

So what does this rambling story of woe have to do with why I'm so melancholy today?

Because sometimes a boy needs to talk to his parents.

I don't have that anymore.

Mom's birthday is coming up on the 28th.

Today, I really miss her.

If I close my eyes, I can hear her voice.

Just like I can do with Dad.

Or Dick.

Good people make good things happen.

Great people make a difference.

Like Mom.

Like Dad.

Like Dick.

Thank you.

Love,

Mike

Until the next time all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

What's In A Score?

2011-09-25T09:00:00.007-05:00

Forty fucking two to zero.

Are you kidding me?

REALLY?

My beloved late mother always told me to "count to ten" when I got angry and then, and ONLY then, respond.

Yesterday the University of Memphis Tigers got their collective asses handed to them on home turf by the Southern Methodist University Mustangs in what should have been a reasonably close football game.

Please pardon the "run on" sentence. I'm fixin' to 'splode.

It's OBVIOUS that some changes need to be made.

This is now officially an open letter to Dr. Shirley Raines.

I, like the rest of the U of M Tiger fans, want some answers.

I/we want them NOW!!!!!!

Dear Dr. Raines,

What in the cornbread Hell is going on with the University's football program?

Have you noticed how bad things are going?

Do you even know there is a football program?

I, like so many residents of Memphis, supported the football Tigers through some lean years. Once upon a time I was a football faithful. My ex and I showed up at every home game we could. More than once we set out on the road to follow the team at away games. We proudly wore our "Tiger Blues" in some very hostile territories.

I can honestly say we did so proudly.

This morning I can honestly say I can never do so again.

I'm done.

God bless all the other sports programs. At least, it seems, you and the University at large, gives a good God damned about them. Except for the men's basketball program, none will ever be able to financially support themselves. Still, I'm glad to see you embrace them, even if only on paper or in hollow words.

The football team could feasibly support itself and other programs.

Unfortunately your administration lacks the ability to make it so.

As far as I'm concerned I think it is by choice.

I can't read your mind Dr. Raines. I'm not sure I even want to. What I DO want is for you to be honest with those of us who have invested spiritually and monetarily in the Tiger football program and tell us the truth.

One simple question, Shirl:

Do you support the football program moving forward, or is it your intention to let it die?

Okay, that's two questions.

They both deserve answers.

As most of my readers/friends know, I spent 25+ years as an FAA Air Traffic Controller. In those two and a half decades, I never worked on a problem. I always worked on solutions.

That concept seems simple to me.

Surprisingly, I've found that many people with "advanced degrees" seem stunned at the concept.

Perhaps you are one of those.

Like an alcoholic, only you can make that determination.

Dr. Raines, I'm offering up some solutions.

SOLUTION ONE: FIRE R. C. Johnson!!! The guy has all the credibility of a used car salesman with all of the requisite sleaze and none of the redeeming qualities. For Christ's sake, he's even phonier than his hair color, and that's tough to do! Secondly, FIRE Larry Porter. He's a swell guy, but so was Tic Price. Okay, so far as we know Larry hasn't fucked a student. However, he has fucked the entire University with his substandard performance as an alleged Division 1 football coach. I'm not sure which is worse.

SOLUTION TWO: SHIT CAN the entire program, FIRE R. C. Johnson, and admit you hate football. Shirl, there is nothing wrong with hating football. There is a LOT wrong with not being honest to either yourself or the fan base. "Mealy mouthed" is not sexy, nor is it appreciated. Tepid statements get no respect no matter what your degree says. If you don't like the football program, get rid of it and cite the savings to the Board of Regents, the Alumni, and the shrinking fan base.

SOLUTION THREE: HIRE A REAL FOOTBALL COACH and FIRE R. C. Johnson!!!!! Get off some of the "soft donations", solicit some more, and get a REAL FUCKING COACH!!! What's wrong with you people? Are you THAT FUCKING STUPID????? There are over 100 good to great college coaches available (note: Check Div 1aa), yet you grab a guy who has NEVER been a head coach anywhere. That would be like hiring a college President whose area of expertise was in "Early Education".

Shirl, maybe you should be teaching the football coaching staff.

SOLUTION FOUR: FIRE R. C. Johnson!!!!!!!! Shoot his dyed hair having, no talent ass from a black powder cannon and make it a pay per view event. At least that way he will raise money for the programs in a "value" manner.

SOLUTION FIVE: QUIT!!! Go away. "Fire" yourself and admit you were a failure. For F*ck's sake you've been there TEN years and things have only gotten worse. Get over yourself. The University is worse off than when you got there. Coach "Cal" gathered a lot of cash for improvements. You didn't. R.C. didn't. The beloved family of Kemmons Wilson(whose son Bob I hold in the highest regard) built the hotel on campus. You had NOTHING to do with any of that. It occurred in spite of you, not because of you.

Maybe the problem is YOU Dr. Raines.

Folks, the football program is in a shambles.

Coach Porter is in over his head.

The only team we have beaten is a Div. 1aa school, and that's not cool.

As most of you know, I'm retired.

I have 24 hours a day as free time.

I, like the rest of the "Tiger" fans, want answers.

Dr. Raines, R.C., Coach Porter, I'm coming back to Memphis in a month or so.

I've got the time and the drive, to make all of you answer to the Tiger fan base.

You MIGHT want to start before I get home.

Capiche?

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

GO TIGERS, G........um.....Nevermind.

2011-09-24T12:28:00.002-05:00

With 7:00 minutes left in the second half the score is:

SMU: 28

UofM: 0

Probability of tomorrow's blog being an apeshit rant: 100%

Air Traffic Mike, disgusted

Ya Schmooze, Ya Lose

2011-09-23T09:52:00.011-05:00

I think that's how that saying goes.

It doesn't matter. I'm not the sort of person that ever felt the need to "work" a room.

Sure, I understand that there is a need for networking in many fields. I've just never been one to graze in those fields.

Last night I went with Christine to the local business association's "Meet and Greet". She is a founder of the group. She saw a need for better communications between various segments of the local businesses. There are some other "buzz words" or "talking points" I could incorporate into this posting, but I think you folks know what I'm talking about.

Since the event was being held at a local riverside restaurant, I made sure I had my camera on hand. I've posted plenty of pictures taken from in front of the restaurant here on the blog.

While Christine was getting her things organized for the gathering, I stepped outside to take some pictures:

The remnants of the old Pennsville-New Castle ferry piers.

Looking north, across the grounds of the restaurant.

That ominous looking factory in the background was once a smoke belching electric generating station. I remember when I was a child there would be huge piles of coal on the south and east side of the plant. If the winds were right, I could see the smoke all the way back at my folks house some five miles away.

In later years, cleaner technology prevailed. The amount of smoke was radically reduced.

Then, on one trip, there was no more smoke. There were still cars in the parking lot. There were still wires running in and out of the main plant. There just wasn't any hint of smoke.

The factory had changed hands. Gone was the coal stockpile and the coal burning boilers. Any power generated there by the new owners would be fueled by natural gas.

According to the new owner's information, the plant only generates electricity for the grid when it is needed at peak usage times.

It seems pretty quiet over there now, compared to when I was a child.

I milled about smartly outside for a few more minutes. I noticed some of Christine's group had shown up. I went over to see if she needed anything. It helps to have someone standing by in these sorts of gatherings.

She had all under control, so I drifted back to the far side of the room and had a "Moscow Mule".

It wasn't too long before I saw a business owner I've known for a long time. He and his family run a couple of local delis. They have the best food, hands down, of any of the local delis and pizza parlors. Here's a link to Geno DeMarco's Italian Kitchen and Roman Pantry stores.

It was good to spend a few moments chatting with Geno and his wife. I don't count that as schmoozing. The only thing I need from Geno and his family is for both stores to stay open. I'm pretty particular about where I get my cheese steaks and hoagies from.

A little later on, while checking on Christine again, I struck up a conversation with a younger fellow who works at a local bank. Nice enough guy. His father drew up my parent's will, and subsequently, my late mother's will. His older sister went to school with my late brother Gary. I felt comfortable enough to chat about some of the local issues.

There are those that would say, "ATM, you don't have a dog in that fight.". I might be inclined to agree up to a point. The fact is that many of these local issues directly affect my immediate family and friends. They also affect Christine in personal, public, and professional ways.

In those matters I am vested.

The local Republican Party was hosting the New Jersey State Republican Lt. Governor in the same restaurant. They were in the banquet hall on the north end of the building.

That explained all the seagulls at that end of the building.

Not that I have any grudges against most Republicans. Most of the them are pretty close to the middle of the road like I am. However, losing the White House sent some of the farthest right in the party on a temper tantrum. A flailing economy sent some closer to the middle chasing after them.

The "Tea Party Tantrum" is currently in full swing.

If the consequences weren't so high, it would make great political theater.

With the business association at one end of the building, and the local Republicans at the other end of the building, it was only natural that those up for election would stroll down the hall.

There's one fellow up for election that I can't really say anything nice about.

So I'll save that for later, closer to election time.

However, one of the fellows is running for re-election. I've followed his stint in office since he first started. He was always a good kid and that hasn't changed in the man. I went over to shake his hand, congratulate him on a good first term, and wish him well in his next term.

I can say that because I don't think there's anyone running who will even come close to beating him.

I also gave him a piece of friendly advice after the other Republican candidate stepped out of the room.

"Dale, be careful of who you hang your hat with."

My guts tell me that if the other guy gets elected as well, there's going to be trouble all around. Especially within the Party.

That's the last thing the citizens of this township and this county need.

By this time I had already said more than I had planned.

Things were going smoothly so I stepped outside to get a quick picture of sunset.

I really didn't have time to fool with the filters too much, so I just shot off a few pics and prayed for the best.

I think I did okay.

We left shortly thereafter and came home.

We had an extra dog for the night so we wanted to make sure things were going well.

The dog in question?

"Smudge the Pit Bull".

We always feel safer when she's around.

She stayed the night, giving "Billy" and "Butter"(who we were already dog sitting) some quality entertainment.

Well, at least until she peed on the floor.

Damned pit bulls.

This morning it's just me and "Boney Billy".

"The Boney One" on a sunnier day.

He's napping, it's raining sideways, and I'm ready for a shower.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Stuffed Animals

2011-09-22T15:10:00.002-05:00

One of my friends said this ad somehow reminded him of me.

I've always lived by the disclaimer, "There's a lot of good reasons I didn't go in to marketing/advertising.".

This busted me up the first time I saw it.

It still busts me up.

Especially the "pheasant on a stick".

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

The Debate Over Airshow/Air Races Safety

2011-09-20T10:50:00.007-05:00

This debate is nothing new.

It has been going on since the Wright Brothers' days on the dunes of the Outer Banks.

I'm pretty sure everybody knows what happened last weekend in Reno, Nevada and Martinsburg, West Virginia. Just in case some of you missed what happened, here are two videos:

The P-51 accident in Reno.

The T-28 accident in Martinsburg.

Both crashes share some similarities and differences.

The North American P-51 Mustang was built during World War Two to serve as a long range fighter escort aircraft. It was built for speed, maneuverability, and durability. The later models had a top speed of around 440 miles per hour.

It arguably marks the high point of propeller driven fighter aircraft.

Many of these planes went on after the war to be converted into racing aircraft.

The "Galloping Ghost" was participating in a low level closed circuit race with about six or seven other high performance race planes on the same course.

The North American T-28 Trojan began production just around the start of the Korean War. It was designed as a training aircraft. The top speed of the "C" model is listed as 346 miles per hour.

A T-28 in training mode.

The T-28 was a part of a six aircraft flight demonstration team. Flight demonstration teams perform aerobatics and choreographed maneuvers during their portion of the airshow. They are not racing in any stretch of the imagination.

Two different airplanes, made by the same manufacturer. One, a fighter. The other, a trainer. One racing. One performing a flight demonstration.

Yet the accidents themselves seem eerily similar. Both aircraft rolled and nosed over into the ground.

It is too early to declare an actual cause of the accident in either case.

We do know that a trim tab separated from the P-51's elevator. Was that enough damage to create an asymmetrical flight condition, compromising its stability, and bring the P-51 down?

It is a possibility. There was a great deal of video taken up close as the plane crashed. There was operation telemetry available to the ground crew, and it was recorded. There is also the possibility that the National Transportation Safety Board can retrieve moving images from a forward mounted camera on the aircraft. Unfortunately, the aircraft practically disintegrated on impact due to the high speed, hard surface, and angle of impact.

That is a lot of information investigators don't usually get from an accident on this sort of aircraft.

In the case of the T-28 the investigators have footage taken from a distance. They also have the charred wreckage from what was a shallower angle of impact. The shallower angle of impact may work in the NTSB's favor. While it is still a catastrophic crash, there should be larger sections of wreckage. If a cable or pulley failed during flight it may be possible to ascertain that.

One thing about accidents.....they get immediate reactions.

I also knew there was going to be an overreaction somewhere.

Two terrible crashes, with multiple fatalities. It would only be a matter of time.

That time was yesterday afternoon.

I read a poll asking, "Should air races/airshows be banned for the sake of safety?".

My answer? "No.".

Both are very popular sporting events. I've been to countless airshows since I was a child. I've seen the best side of aviation and aeronautics at them. Me, and hundreds of thousands of other children just like me, have been influenced and inspired by them. I've met famous people, American heroes, stood next to then state of the art aircraft, and touched legendary planes from long ago.

Go to an airshow sometime and watch the Navy's Blue Angels, the Air Force's Thunderbirds, or the Army's Golden Knights. You'll leave the show full of wonderment and wishing you had the opportunity to do that.

For the record, all three of the military demonstration teams have had accidents over the years. Yet, they always come back and do so with an improved margin of safety.

Aviation is just like everything else in the world.

It has an unsafe component that we can only mitigate at best.

Just like...

...when you're at work.....

...or driving down the Interstate.....

...spending a relaxing day with your friends at the beach...

...or attempting to set a new high dive record.

Sometimes, it's not even your fault.

Bad things happen to good people every day.

Jimmy Leeward didn't set out that day to kill anybody or himself.

Neither did Jack Mangan.

So, here's a little perspective for those want to overreact to the accidents this weekend past.

Every safety feature on your car, truck, and/or SUV is there because someone died.

Period.

The folks in Reno will learn from this weekend's tragedy, the Trojan Horsemen Aerobatic Formation Flight Demonstration Team will learn from theirs, and they will press on.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

The University of Memphis 2011 Football Team Motto

2011-09-19T07:20:00.003-05:00

"This is where football comes to die.".

Congratulations to Coach Porter and the team.

I'm sure it was a thrilling 27-6 win over the Division 1-AA Austin Peay Governors.

Take some time to savor that win.

It'll probably be the only one this season.

Fire R.C. Johnson now.

He's done enough damage.

Where's Waldo?

2011-09-17T08:40:00.006-05:00

Or should I ask, "Where's Tubbo?".

It seems my portly friend in Trenton is taking great offense at what he perceives as an attempt to invade his privacy.

New Jersey State Senator Loretta Weinberg plans to introduce a bill on Monday requiring the Governor to notify the Legislature every time he leaves the state.

Granted, that sounds pretty harsh. However, unlike being a regular working stiff, being the Governor of any state in the Union is a 24 hour a day job.

Just like being the President.

The job comes with responsibilities that the populace elected the man/woman to take care of.

Besides, the Grubernor promised "transparency" in New Jersey government throughout his campaign.

Apparently "transparency" was meant for others, not himself.

Why is the good Senator proposing this legislation?

It seems "Bim the Governor Man" has been sort of surreptitiously skulking out of the state to attend non-Governor related events.

Recently he met with billionaire and uberconservative David Koch. David Koch and his brother Charles are major contributors to a number of "conservative think tanks".

The Heritage Foundaton?

Koch brothers funded.

The Cato Institute?

Koch brothers funded.

Can you say, "Tea Party"?

The Koch brothers can.

They just pronounce it, "Americans For Prosperity" or "FreedomWorks".

The Koch brothers like to stay out of the limelight. To do so, they let their money do their talking.

Let's face it, when money is talking, politicians are more than happy to listen.

So it was no surprise to find out that Governor Transparent snuck out of the state to listen to what the Koch brothers money had to say. With a couple of bankrolls like theirs he could be picking out curtains for the Lincoln Room today.

What was surprising was when someone busted him for attending a "closed door" meeting with the Koch brothers and friends in Colorado. He was recorded as saying basically he saved Democratic House Speaker Sheila Oliver's job as part of a deal to cut public workers benefits.

I'm sure any other time our transparent friend would deny he even said such a thing.

Unfortunately, facts are stubborn things. Especially when the facts are backed up with an audio tape recording.

The good Governor has made few friends at the State House, even amongst his own Party.

There have been a lot of grumblings, off the record of course, by Republican members that they don't appreciate the arm twisting they receive when the Governor wants them to tow his line.

I think that's why he's acting angry over the prospect of this bill. He knows he's pissed off just enough Republican Assembly members and Senator for this bill to pass. I think too, that he's afraid that if he dares veto it, the Legislative Branch will override it in a power play.

A major embarrassment is the last thing Christie's fragile ego can stand.

I say, "Go for it.".

His reaction will tell the world if he's a Statesman ready to assume leadership of the United States, or if he's a bag of festering hot air, curling up like a whipped cur, at the Koch brothers feet.

Well, in the interest of fairness, let's hear what the man has to say. Click on the video here.

Wow. He's really not happy. Wait until it hits his desk.

Governor Christie, you are the elected leader of the citizens of New Jersey. Nothing more. You are not a national leader in any capacity. If you can't put the citizens and the state of New Jersey first, please hand over the keys to your office.

Then you can feel free to seek out a higher office on your own time, not the citizens' dime.

This rant is over.

At least for today.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Screw The Rain, It's Time To Cook

2011-09-16T15:36:00.003-05:00

That was last night's battle cry.

Yesterday, the weather was cloudy, warm, and humid at 1:00 pm.

By 3:30 pm it was blustery and cool.

By 5:30 pm it was downright miserable.

Such is life when planning to grill outside in the late Summer. Actually, I was not disappointed to see the heat leave. The heat doesn't agree with Christine and after the hottest Summer on record, I'm over it.

Still, the windy conditions made heating up the grill a slow process. For a moment I considered throwing a stick of Crisco on it to start a small blaze under the grates.

Never discount the "arson option" when trying to get a grill heated up.

However, I was not in a real hurry. Instead of igniting the innards of the grill, I covered the side air vents with some aluminum foil.

In the event of a gas grill explosion, I'm quite positive that this technique will void both the gas grill's warranty and your homeowners insurance simultaneously.

The grill finally heated up to a respectable 450F.

I went inside and removed last night's "Guest of Honor" from the refrigerator.

A nice seasoned and marinated flank steak.

When I went to the butcher's shop a couple of days ago, they had eight really nice flank steaks laying out in the case. Any one of them would have done a food magazine cover proud.

After careful consideration lasting two seconds, I asked the woman behind the counter for the biggest one.

Like a wise man once said, "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.".

Speaking of "overdoing", that is precisely the reason why I left the flank steak in the refrigerator until the last minute. I wanted it to come out medium rare. It is a fairly thin piece of beef. By keeping it cold like that, I've found that it allows for a larger margin of error. Especially on a blustery night where the gas grill is having difficulty maintaining a steady temperature.

I kept a close eye on it. Fortunately my instincts were right.

It came out perfect.

It needed to rest for a bit. Christine passed the time with a nice cool glass of Pinot Grigio. I passed the time with a celebratory vodka and bitter lemon.

I also took that time to make one of my favorite side dishes.

Oven roasted herbed potatoes.

I could eat these every night.

I have been known to actually make these as a snack.

They come out crispy, peppery, and with a big herb flavor. When done right, they are not in the least bit greasy.

"New" red, white, or "Yukon Gold" potatoes work the best. You can use regular potatoes, but "New" potatoes have a creamy sweetness that really highlights the herbs and olive oil.

Today, the weather cleared. Christine and I got an early start to the day. We did some volunteer work at a golf tournament. The group raises money to provide grants to teachers for special projects not funded by the local school board. It's headed up by a retired teacher who had the misfortune to have me as one of his students in high school.

I figured a payback was in order.

I have to tell you, I really enjoyed myself. It was great to see some old friends. It was a perfect day to be outside. Best of all, we had our own golf cart to tool around in.

If you haven't tooled around in a golf cart, you don't know what you're missing.

Tonight's going to be a quiet night in.

Tomorrow, I leave the cooking pictures behind and delve back in to politics.

I feel a rant coming on.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Seafood

2011-09-15T07:50:00.004-05:00

Usually I try to come with a catchy title for the individual blog posts.

Today, not so much.

Yesterday we were looking forward to going out for a late lunch at Harry's Seafood Grill.

As promised, we went.

People that know me well know that I'm a pretty tough critic when it comes to dining out. I've lost count of how many restaurants/diners/greasy spoons/bistros, etc. I've eaten in. I praise good service and good food generously. I suffer poor service and substandard food poorly.

Harry's Seafood Grill, I'm happy to report, ranks up there with my all time favorites.

We arrived there shortly after 1:00 pm. The lunch crowd was on their way out. I've been to a number of places where this is a weak point in the service. There's a natural let down after the big rush is over. I've been in places where the staff and management allows this to seep into the operation. Not at Harry's. We were promptly greeted and seated. Our booth had a nice view out the windows facing the Christiana River.

We were in no hurry to order. Everything on the menu looked great. Our waitress came over and took our drink order. That gave us time to decide on our appetizer courses. Harry's has amazingly fresh seafood daily. They have limited selections of sushi and sashimi, all of which are of the best quality.

I opted for an order of the Big Eye Tuna sashimi. This was a real treat. It had a wonderfully delicate flavor and a silky texture. It practically melted in my mouth. It paired well with the glass of Pinot Grigio I ordered.

Christine opted for her favorite, the Ahi Tuna sushi. I've had this here before. Had it not been for the Big Eye Tuna being on the menu, I would have opted for this. It is a superior version of the dish. The sprinkling of roe on top gives it a very nice little boost.

We didn't order our entrees until our server brought out our appetizers. At this point in the day, some servers can get a little pushy seeing as how their shift is nearly over. Not ours. She was prompt on everything, but very laid back at the same time.

I have a lot of respect for people who excel at their job. It was a pleasure sitting at her table.

There were a number of compelling choices for lunch. I was having a hard time deciding between the Lobster Roll and the Thai Crab Salad. I've had the Lobster Roll there before. For those unfamiliar, a Lobster Roll is a New England tradition. Lobster meat mixed with onions, celery, and mayo served on a toasted and buttered hot dog bun. It's a simple, yet amazing culinary treat. Christine was torn between having a Baby Spinach Salad or the Crab Cake sandwich. Any one of those choices would have been fine.

As it turned out Christine ordered the Baby Spinach Salad with a Crab Cake at our server's recommendation. The salad came with dried cherries, spicy pecans, and blue cheese. The Crab Cake paired very well with it.

I selected the Thai Crab Salad. I'm very glad I did. It was just what I was looking for. It was light, had a lot of great flavors working for it, and had a generous portion of jumbo lump backfin crab meat. The brown flakes you see are slivers of candied ginger. They were not overly sweet and retained just enough of the ginger heat to set off the lime/soy vinaigrette.

Yesterday's lunch was the most relaxing one hour and fifteen minutes of the week.

For my friends here in the Delaware Valley, or those passing through, I highly recommend Harry's Seafood Grill.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Wednesday FunDay

2011-09-14T09:30:00.003-05:00

After weeks of bleary weekend weather, family obligations, and multiple illnesses, we finally have a day of nice weather, no social obligations, and relatively good health.

I'm beginning to understand what my parents meant by, "It's the small things in life that will make you happy.".

Yesterday I went foraging around the county for some good groceries. The produce stand was full of fresh late Summer produce except for lima beans. The lima bean crop took a major hit from Hurricane Irene a couple weeks ago. The heavy rains and high winds knocked a lot of the blossoms off the plants, compromising this year's harvest severely.

That sort of bummed me out.

However, one draft beer at a local tavern and a stop by the butcher's shop made up for it.

Taverns are some of my favorite places in the world.

As you can guess, it was pretty quiet there at 2:45 pm. There were a grand total of four customers, myself included.

Hey, I wasn't looking for a party or anything. I just wanted a cold beer and some quiet time. The conversation was about the Phillies and how good of a season they were having.

One of the guys was wishing they'd hit more home runs while he was at the tavern.

I really didn't understand what he meant by that until I went into the bathroom and saw this:

That's the second best drink offer I've ever seen in conjunction with a Phillies game.

One time I was at a Phillies game where the night's promotion was "A Foamer For A Homer". For every home run a Phillies player hit, adults 21 years of age and older got a free beer. Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski got things started by hitting back to back home runs in the second inning. Not to be outdone, the starting pitcher Larry Christensen clubbed one over the right field fence in the fourth inning.

Maybe we can get the Memphis Redbirds to have that sort of promotion next season.

I finished my beer and headed up the road to the butcher shop.

I really like the butcher shop. They have a really nice selection of all things meat. They also have really good service. I needed a whole fryer cut up for last night's dinner. They were more than happy to do so. While that was being done, I purchased a nice four rib pork roast, a really nice flank steak, and a pound and a half of apple wood smoked bacon.

That bacon might be the best bacon in the world.

Oh, and the cut up chicken?

I seasoned it up in herbs, olive oil, and paprika and baked it.

Baked chicken, rice, and asparagus is a big plate full of "happy" no matter where you are.

Now today is going to be a sort of "FunDay" for us.

Christine is working from home.

It's a beautiful sunny day.

We're both starting to feel good again.

I made a "command decision" upon stepping out front this morning.

We're going to Harry's Seafood Grill for a late lunch.

It is a good day for patio dining. We're going to take advantage of it.

The weatherman is calling for rain this Sunday.

"Wednesday FunDay" it is.

I hope your Wednesday is a "FunDay" too.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

It's A Bird. It's A Plane.

2011-09-12T07:54:00.008-05:00

It's a"FUMOT"!!

Now the Downtown Memphis Gang knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about when I use the term, "FUMOT".

For those unfamiliar with the term, it is an acronym for F*$%ed Up Mode Of Transportation.

If this thing isn't a "FUMOT", I sure hope NASA launches it into a deep space orbit soon. It really hurts my eyes to look at.

In that spirit, here's a Public Service Announcement from the gang over at Air Traffic Mike Heavy Industries, LLC. (the official social think tank of Air Traffic Mike).

Friends, you yourself may be driving a "FUMOT" and not even realize it.

Here are some (but not all) helpful guidelines you can use to see if you are driving a "FUMOT":

- your car's original factory paint job has been replaced by a paint job from an aerosol can.

- none of your tires match by manufacturer, size, wear, year of manufacture, or place of purchase.

- burglars break in and leave you some spare change and a casserole.

- you have a replacement fender or hood from a sister brand.

- you are riding on two or more "space saver" spare tires.

- law enforcement doesn't write you a safety related citation, they politely ask for "Next of kin".

- your vehicle has one or more parts that the guy at the junkyard gave you just to get your wretched vehicle out of his sight.

In other news, Christine's daughters stepped up to the plate once again and have rescued another dog.

The last one, y'all will recall was the late, great.........

Rhondo the Wonder Idiot.

We miss that little dog.

He was one of a kind.

What that kind was, we're still trying to figure out.

Regardless, he was an affable and gentle little soul who was born with a broken set of kidneys.

RIP Rhondo.

I won't get into the details on the new dog, other than to say that she was found starving on the hard streets of Philadelphia. Christine's youngest daughter and her roommate volunteered to be a foster home for the dog. Christine's oldest daughter took one look at it and had to have her.

The paperwork process is under way.

Yesterday, they brought the dog down for us to see.

Folks, she's one scary looking beast.

No wonder nobody wanted to pick her up. This dog is one MEAN looking customer.

I wondered if she wasn't going to shred the furniture and take a limb home as a souvenir.

In spite of my concerns, I really trust the girls' judgement when it comes to rescuing dogs.

After all, the youngest drove all the way to Georgia to bring Rhondo to safety.

Before that, she kept after her mother until Christine agreed to allow her to rescue "Butter" the Dachshund, a Hurricane Katrina orphan.

Butter and Rhondo in happier days.

Like I said, Lauren has a pretty good track record when it comes to dogs.

Still, this one scares me just a tad.

I think she has some pit bull in her.

Seriously.

If I were selling drugs on the mean streets of Philly, needed some defense, and some "street cred", I'd be all over this dog like Kosher salt on a soft pretzel.

Folks, it's my pleasure to present........

"Smudge" the Pit Bull.

Terrifying, isn't she?

Actually, her real name is "Millie". She's a whopping six pounds of now formerly neglected terrier mix.

Like our own "Billy", she was left to fend for herself on the streets. Yesterday I picked her up and held her for a bit. I could feel her bones through her skin just like "Billy" when we first met him.

Why anyone would do something like that to a dog is beyond my comprehension.

The good news is that those days are behind her.

The better news is that I think I just found my new foil to replace Rhondo. I think her alter ego "Smudge" the Pit Bull will fit in nicely with my writing style, just as Rhondo did.

I just hope she has better luck than he had.

I hope we all do.

Especially the guy who owns/drives this "FUMOT".

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Four False Starts Later.....

2011-09-10T06:55:00.003-05:00

heeeeeee's baaaaaaaaaack!

Glad to be here, too.

It's been a rough couple of weeks over here in Air Traffic Mike World.

I've been sick twice over the last four weeks. Christine has also been sick twice over the last four weeks. Conveniently, she's been sick on my "healthy" weeks.

Like my late Pop would say when frustrated, "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!!!".

Just keeping all of our temporary meds straight had become a part time job.

Antibiotics for me.

Antibiotics for her.

Percocet and prescription Motrin for me.

Oh, and let's not forget our doctor visits both in the office and in the Emergency Room.

Hell, I haven't had an adult beverage since last Friday night.

Honestly, I haven't even wanted one. That's how bad I've felt.

Overall I really don't feel too much better except for the strained chest muscle from last week's cardiac scare.

I won't even get into Christine's latest malady other than to say it is a minor annoyance to her.

Everything taken as a whole, it all seems to be working out. We're both firmly on the top side of the dirt.

For now.

This morning I was reading the news online.

I have quite an extensive news reading list. I read the local paper, the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the Philadelphia Inquirer, ESPN, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News (in that order).

Yeah, I just said, "Fox News".

Yes, the same "Fox News" I often rail against.

Why do I read it?

If I didn't read it, I couldn't rail against it.

If I railed against a news site without reading it, that would qualify me for membership in the Tea Party.

I'll be talking politics a little later in the week, so that's all I'll say about the "Tee P'ers" for now.

Right now, I'd like to talk a bit about "Foreign Policy". Sure, it fringes on politics, but I'm looking at the larger issue of National Security.

This morning's news is dominated about the tenth anniversary of the "9/11" attacks and the threat of a new attack tomorrow.

Here's all we as a country need to do to stop this sort of nonsense.

Intelligence indicates that the current Al Qaeda threat is stemming from jihadists from or supported by a cell in Yemen.

Our current policies have us working with the Yemen government to filter out these individuals and eliminate the threat.

That process, while civil, has its flaws.

I point to the USS Cole bombing in October, 2000.

So then, how do we get these countries harboring terrorists to take seriously our safety concerns?

I say shift the "safety concerns" onto them.

Our new policy should be that if a Yemeni terrorist(or Yemeni sponsored terrorist) commits a terrorist act against the people of the United States, the United States will launch enough nuclear war heads to obliterate Yemen.

Period.

Should any other terrorist organizations from any other third world country like to step up and take up the "Jihadist" banner from there, we'll make the response the same.

I'm pretty sure our stockpile of nuclear warheads exceeds the stockpile of third world terrorist producing countries.

You may be asking, "Air Traffic Mike, what do we do in the event that some United States citizen decide to take sides with the jihad against his/her own country?"

Easy.

Gather them all up. Pick out a clunker from the Suisin Bay Reserve Fleet. Refurbish it just enough to get them far out in the South Pacific. Arm it with a small atomic device, and send them up/down to their "Promised Land".

Make sure to film it, too.

Any small group can conspire to, and in some cases pull off, murdering another group of people.

Let's up the ante.

They kill 1,000 Americans, we wipe their country completely off the map.

Their planning takes years and thousands of hours of training.

We push three buttons and wait forty five minutes for the results.

Seems like a reasonable trade off.

Then again, it might just be the medicine "talking" this morning.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Aspirin Or Emergency Room....Decisions, Decisions

2011-09-03T17:40:00.004-05:00

"Irony. It's like goldy or bronzy except it's made of iron."

- Author Unknown

* * * * * * * * * *

I was sitting here at my lap top early this afternoon.

I was sorting through a list of topics for today's blog.

Some days I've already decided what the topic will be, other days not so much.

Heck, it was shaping up to be a laid back Saturday. I figured an afternoon blog would give me the time to evaluate my options.

It might have, too.

Except for the fact that I coughed on or about 12:40 pm.

This one didn't feel right immediately. I felt something *pop* in my upper left chest.

Oh, and it hurt as soon as it happened.

For the first time since 14 when I came down with pneumonia, it hurt to breathe.

I thought to myself, "Well, maybe the pain will ease in a little bit.

Thirty minutes went by. It still hurt the same.

I figured maybe a hot shower would help. It got worse as I tried to lift my arm.

The pain was in the immediate vicinity of my heart.

I read somewhere sometime that doctors have noted the positive effects of a low dose of aspirin on victims suffering a heart attack.

Figuring there was no way I was get behind the wheel of a car, and since Christine wasn't home, I took an aspirin and stayed calm.

It was obvious I had a medical decision to make. I took my father's side of the family and noted the various heart problems. It wasn't any prettier on my mother's side of the family either. I factored in my own mildly high cholesterol and blood pressure.

Christine got home. I told her what was going on. In one last act of "denial" I told her that if it didn't improve in 15 minutes, we'd have to go to the emergency room.

I can't say as to how I arrived at 15 minutes.

Regardless, in the next 15 minutes I didn't feel any better.

We hopped in the car and drove to the hospital.

The same one my oldest brother works in.

Fortunately it was his day off and he was down at the shore. I was glad one of us was having a good day.

The kind young lady at the desk where folks sign in wasn't busy.

She called me right over and asked what was the problem.

That's when I learned that the phrase, "I'm having chest pains with some dizziness." is the magic line to pass an entire emergency room waiting list.

I signed exactly one piece of paper authorizing them to treat me and I was on my way to triage.

They took my blood pressure and it came in at a nice 177/105.

That pretty much explained the dizziness.

Next it was time for an EKG. I'm no stranger to EKG's seeing as how they were required every so often for my Class Two Airman's Medical Certificate.

I knew if there was something was seriously wrong, that would be the first test to reveal it.

The technician handling the test took results to a doctor immediately.

I was curious as to the results but they wanted to get me into an examination room.

One wheelchair ride later I was taken to a room where they put more electrodes on my chest. My combined electrode count was now up to twelve.

Now I was really starting to worry. A nurse came in and explained what they were going to do. "We're going to have someone come down and take some blood for tests. The doctor will be in shortly after that. He will have the EKG result and some of the blood test results. Then we're going to have an orderly take you down the hall for some x-rays to see if you have a collapsed lung."

It never occurred to me that a collapsed lung might be the problem.

He asked if I had any questions. I had none. I admired the efficient manner of the operation and the clear manner in which the nurse communicated.

He left.

That's when I mentally drew a comparison to my situation and Scrooge's Christmas Eve.

One by one the test results came back.

The doctor went through the results.

The EKG?

Everything was in order.

Blood tests?

Good to go.

The x-rays?

He brought them up of the flat screen computer right there in the room with us.

No sign of any problems.

Diagnosis?

Strained muscle, conveniently in the location that would give a person a reason to believe he/she was having a heart attack.

He also pointed out that we took the right course of action in spite of the results.

He prescribed some Percoset and Motrin for the pain.

It took four hours and some change, but I sure am glad I went.

I wasn't expecting a visit to the Emergency Room today when I got out of bed.

Then again, who does?

I had mentally readied myself that I was probably going under the knife today.

I'm thankful for decent health insurance, an excellent hospital nearby, someone to drive me to the ER, and the outcome of the day's events.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Post Hurricane Clean Up

2011-08-29T13:45:00.008-05:00

It's a sad fact that after every hurricane there will be some cleaning up to do.

Christine's yard was no exception.

I sat down and discussed the situation with the only person I could think of that would have an idea as to where to start.

Splitty the Maul.

Now Splitty might seem like an odd choice as a "lawn debris consultant".

He's actually well versed in the topic.

Pictures don't lie.

He's cut grass.....

.....he's hauled trash.....

.....and he cuts a mean deck of cards.

I think that's more than enough evidence to prove his expertise.

We sat down at the kitchen table.

Splitty's only advice was, "Put the noodle dog to work!"

It was brilliant in its simplicity.

I immediately grabbed "Boney Billy" and put him on the job.

Using what I like to refer to as, "Dachshund Ingenuity", Billy was soon hard at work.

Using his tether, he gathered up the massive piles of branches covering the front yard.

Unfortunately, his tether would not reach far enough around the corner of the house where the plethora of leaves ended up.

I consulted once again with Splitty the Maul as to what my next course of action should be.

Splitty had already come up with a contingency plan if Billy couldn't deliver.

"God put 'em there, let him clean 'em up.

Folks, you just can't teach that sort of logic.

I brought Billy in off his tether, gave him a cheese treat in spite of his failure on the leaves, and initiated the "God's Mess Plan".

I'll update you on God's progress later in the week.

In the meantime, I had errands to run.

While I was out, I stopped down at the Delaware River. It was supposed to crest around 1:00 PM.

Sure enough, it did.

Looking at the boat ramp.

Looking upriver to the north.

Looks like the folks at the end of the block just barely stayed above high tide.

Some of you might remember that boat ramp from a previous blog.

I'll close with a musical number and the late, great "Rhondo the Wonder Idiot" in his music video debut:

"Rhondo's River Run!"

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Sunday FunDay, The Hurricane Edition

2011-08-28T13:52:00.004-05:00

The worst of Hurricane Irene hit here in the overnight hours.

With our preparations complete, we had nothing else to do other than wait to see if we would have to make an emergency escape.

Most of the stress that comes from hurricanes is the "unknown" factor that naturally comes with it.

For example, we had everything we needed to stay here in case we lost electricity and water. Staying put in a storm is stressful because you are worried you will get hit hard. That means you may lose your home, your possessions, and maybe your life. However, you most certainly get by without the first two of those. The upside is that you are home. There's a great deal of comfort in that.

After careful consideration, we opted to do just that.

However, in order to stay home in a storm, you have to be ready to get out.

I mean get out in a hurry.

In a hurry, but safely.

In our case, we had our backpacks loaded with three days clothes, seven days medicines, toiletries, and some survival basics such as candles and matches. We had plenty of cash on hand as a "just in case". We also had a 12 pack of bottled water at hand, ready to go out the door if the house was breached by water or wind.

In the days leading up to the storm, I walked around the house and looked at any possible, and all probable, impediments to leaving the house safely.

Most people don't take that into consideration.

I'm not one of them.

I looked to see where the power lines came into the house and into the detached garage. If they broke free at the point at which they were attached to the structures, I made a mental note as to where they would fall. Live wires are often overlooked when leaving a damaged building, but they are always fatal on contact. I sat down with Christine and reviewed the plans for protection from tornadoes and safe egress from the house.

If any of you folks take anything from this blog today, remember that. It would suck for you and/or yours to survive a catastrophic storm only to have one/all electrocuted as you/them/all left the wreckage of the building.

With all that said, Christine went to bed. I told her I would stay awake until the most dangerous part of the storm passed.

We were lucky. The electricity stayed on. I had the television on in the living room and my lap top computer on here at the kitchen table. Between the two of those I monitored the situation, was able to see where the hurricane was based on the weather reports on cable and METAR reports from airports along the path of the storm.

A METAR report is an hourly meteorological conditions report. The weather is taken once an hour at airports under normal conditions, more often if the weather changes significantly during the hour.

Here's an example of a METAR report:

KILG 281851Z 27019G32KT 10SM FEW038 BKN049 24/19 A2948

Looks like a bunch of gobbledy gook, doesn't it?

Here's what it means:

(KILG) = New Castle County Airport.

281851Z = 28th day of the month, 18:51 UTC.

10SM = Visibility 10 statute miles

27019G32KT = Winds out of the west, 270 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 32 knots.

FEW038 BKN049 = Few clouds at three thousand eight hundred, ceiling four thousand nine hundred broken.

24/19 = Temperature 24 degrees Celsius, dew point 19 degrees Celsius.

2948 = Barometric pressure.

By comparing the weather, especially the barometric pressure, I could track the storm as it left the region the airport was in, and therefore keep track of what was going on around us.

By 3:45am, most of the really dangerous weather had passed us by. What was left was light to moderate rain and occasionally gusty winds.

I felt comfortable enough to finally turn in.

Our backpacks were still bedside in case we had to hit the basement and then the road.

Hey, it wasn't all doom and gloom.

We cooked some really good food through the day.

Earlier in the day, Christine picked some juicy, ripe figs from the backyard...

and simmered them in honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, and water.....

.....and then made a nice pan of fig bars.

Not wanting to be left out.....

.....I put together a nice pot of beans and ham.....

.....and made some nice big bowls of "Happy".

Today we rested and put things back in order.

Oh, and we thanked the good Lord for our safety and that of our neighbors and friends.

Remember what I said about, "Home", "Possessions", and "Life"?

Without the last, nothing else matters.

I'm glad to be here to type that, and glad for all y'all to be here to read that.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic MIke, ret.

So Here We Are

2011-08-27T13:47:00.004-05:00

After careful consideration, taking in to account all the variables involved, we opted to ride out Hurricane Irene right here in in South Jersey.

I guess we'll find out if it was a good decision over the next 24 hours.

The first of the storm's outer bands started through the area right about 11:00 am.

I was out picking up a few last minute items. We had run out of paper towels. I figured while I was out I'd pick up some extra toilet paper, some red beans to cook with a ham hock this afternoon, and maybe some ice if I was lucky.

As I pulled into the market around the corner, I was met by this scene in the parking lot:

Here's a nautical rule of thumb. If the seagulls aren't going near the water, neither should people.

I was surprised that I was able to get in and out of the market relatively quickly. I was able to fill every item on my list except for, naturally, ice.

Seeing as how I made good time at the market, I headed down the street to check one more possible source of ice. The local liquor store.

It was worth a try. I've had luck with them before.

Seems like a lot of other folks have had luck with the liquor store before as well. The locks on both ice freezers pretty much told me everything I needed to know. As a consolation prize I picked up a half gallon of vodka. I also took the opportunity to wish the clerks on duty well. I'm sure they would rather be with their families today as opposed to working.

Especially with an approaching storm like Hurricane Irene.

So far I feel comfortable with the decision to stay. It's been a quiet day since morning. Christine fielded calls from her brother, sister, and parents. I talked to "Sis" down in Virginia Beach. With all the check ins complete we started cooking.

Frankly, it's been rather relaxing.

Bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast for breakfast.

Christine is cooking down some fresh figs from the backyard for some fig bars.

I'm getting ready to put a pot of ham and beans on.

The worst of the storm is still well south of us. It made landfall. As expected, that has caused the storm to weaken slightly.

I doubt that I'll sleep this evening, nor tomorrow, until the storm has passed. That's something I've done since my days in New Orleans. I figure if a tornado is coming I'd just as soon be wide awake.

Not that I'd mind dying in my sleep. I just don't want to die in my sleep in spinning pile of debris doing 200 miles per hour.

It's time to put the beans on.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Next Up, The River

2011-08-26T09:04:00.006-05:00

I lived in the New Orleans area from June, 1984 until January, 1989.

New Orleans is a low lying area surrounded by water, marshes, swamps, and canals.

I hadn't been at the New Orleans International Airport air traffic control tower long when an old timer I was training with said, "Living here must be a big change from living in New Jersey.".

I talked about the differences in the food, the culture, and big city living versus small town living.

Frank, "Fox Fox" was his nickname, had lived in New Orleans all his life. He had never been to New Jersey, but had seen the pictures of all the factories and highways.

Unfortunately, that's an impression a lot of people had then and have now.

I explained to him that my hometown was quite similar to the New Orleans region. I told him that it was about three feet above sea level, similar to areas of the New Orleans region. I grabbed a nearby aeronautical chart depicting the East Coast and showed him the water surrounding South Jersey. Using a soft lead pencil, I lightly traced the marshlands around the Township and the County. He asked about fishing and hunting. I told him that once upon a time this part of New Jersey was once one of the world's largest sturgeon fisheries, that crabbing and fishing were still viable ways of making money, and that the hunting was quite good.

I also told him that the mosquito had long been considered "The State Bird".

He looked up at me and said, "So it's just like N'Awlins as far as geographic features go.".

I said, "Yeah, except we speak English up there.".

During my time there we had plenty of rains, tropical depressions, tropical storms, and glancing blows from hurricanes. With those came plenty of floods.

1985 was a busy year for Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico.

Three of them directly affected New Orleans without even hitting it.

Hurricane Danny in August, 1985 was the first big storm I remember there. It was a Category 1 hurricane. It mostly flooded the lower parts of the state, but it made getting around difficult. Roadways were flooded as the pumping stations did their best to keep up.

That was good practice for Hurricane Elena later in the month. Even though the eye of the storm hit near Biloxi, MS, the continuous bands of rain brought flooding back to the region once again.

Just as the hurricane season was winding down, Hurricane Juan came a calling at the end of October.

One of the things I learned from these storms was just how widespread the rains and high winds were away from the eye of the storm.

Cut to today's update on Hurricane Irene.

It's on a path that will take it over most of the major East Coast cities and right over where we are here in South Jersey.

Or not.

Hurricanes are the most fickle of all storms.

Take this one for example:

This is the path that Hurricane Juan took prior to land fall in Oct-Nov 1985. Note the numerous tight turns.

This isn't to say that Irene is going to make a sudden hard right turn and we'll all live happily ever after. It's just a possibility.

The probability is that the storm is going to hit here or nearby.

It's also going to hit about the same time as a lunar high tide will be in progress in the Delaware River.

The Delaware River is conveniently located about 1/4 of a mile from the doorstep here.

Fortunately we're not in a flood plain. At least not yet. The house here is on relatively high ground for the area. It is also built up on a basement that rises out of the ground, adding about another foot of ground clearance. It doesn't sound like much, but every inch in a flood helps.

We've taken the steps necessary to ride out the storm and take care of ourselves for a few days in the event of any power outages.

We also have "Plan B" in case we decide the risk of staying is too great. The plan is simple. Grab Christine's parents, toss them and some weekend bags in the AirTrafficMobile, and drive west.

Where west? Hard to say. There will be a lot of people doing the same thing. I expect that anywhere west of Harrisburgh, PA will be reasonably safe.

So, depending on the events between now and this time tomorrow morning, I'll either be back here tomorrow or post from somewhere on the road.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Earthquake Survival----East Coast Style

2011-08-25T05:42:00.004-05:00

Whew........that was a close call.

As most of you are aware, an earthquake struck the eastern half of the United States. The epicenter was in the vicinity of Mineral, Virginia. The strength estimated to be between 5.8 and 5.9 on the Richter Scale.

Let's face it, 5.8 on the Richter Scale is in no way a catastrophe. It's going to knock some stuff over, crack some mortar, and maybe flip a trailer or two.

So why was it such big news?

Because it struck in the region where there a large reporting outlets, namely Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City.

Where was I during all this commotion?

I was in the bathroom, brushing my teeth and getting ready for a shower.

To be precise, I was leaning over the sink expelling the toothpaste from my mouth.

All of a sudden, the house began to sway a little. My first thought was that I was experiencing a touch of vertigo. However, when I stood up straight the medicine cabinet mirror was moving.

I've been through enough small tremors to realize it was a very small earthquake.

Christine was up at the Library for a meeting. I shot her a quick text, returned to the bathroom for my shower, and thought nothing further of the event.

Besides, I was heading out to meet up with a friend for a couple of beers and some small talk.

It wasn't until I turned on my car radio that I realized a media feeding frenzy was in it's early stages.

Media feeding frenzies are one of my pet peeves. Sensationalism sells. In no month of the year is that more true than the month of August. Most, if not all, of the politicians are out of the nation's capital on vacation. When all the vitriol and name calling are removed from D.C., the media outlets are left with very little to actually report on.

It only took a couple of minutes to get to the tavern.

The televisions were up loud. I thought, "Aw crap. I'm going to have to listen to this all afternoon.". Sure enough, the local ABC affiliate had "BREAKING NEWS" coverage of "Earthquake 2011".

Facts were scarce in the early hours of the reports. I've seen enough "breaking news" coverage to know that when facts are scarce, the first thing the news organizations are going to do is send a cameraman and reporter out into the street. They also send along a slew of inane questions so that they can record every slack jawed local's take on the event.

In this case, the local station did not let it's loyal viewership down. They grabbed a guy in a suit and tie and asked him where he was when the earthquake hit. For Christ's sake, they just saw him walk out of an office building. "I was in my office when it hit.", I muttered to myself.

"I was in my office when it hit.", came the fellow's response.

I muttered, "Were you scared when it hit?".

"Were you afraid when the earthquake hit?", the eagle eyed reporter asked.

I turned away from the television. The ridiculous line of questions was starting to make me nauseous.

One game of pinball and a few minutes later, the street reporter had just stopped some guy on a bike.

Once again I muttered, "Where were you when the earthquake hit?".

Sure enough, that was the question.

I said out loud this time, "He was on his f%&#ing bicycle you jackass!".

Of course he was.

The station had reporters out and about gathering up news for other reports. That meant they could ask people all over the Delaware Valley the same questions over and over and over again.

It was excruciating to watch and listen to.

Especially for people like me. I'm a "fact driven" sort. I want to know what happened where.

I don't want to listen to the guy who opens up his take on the situation with the phrase, "I SAW IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!".

"I SAW IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!" is usually followed by a finger point at the camera, the line, "IS THAT THING ON?????????????", a goofy wide eyed smile, and a, "HI MOM!!!!".

Yet, most news organizations always seem to find that guy.

The other thing I can't stand is the guy walking behind the interview who suddenly realizes he's on camera.

Pretty soon, one of those idiots came on the screen. The coverage had changed over to the national feed. Some reporter was standing in front of an office building in Washington, D.C.. Some Arabic guy in full Arabic regalia, turban and all, was behind the reporter. He was waiving at the camera and talking excitedly on his phone. It's likely that he was talking to his turban headed friends or family.

Regardless, I sat there just hoping......no, praying that some good Samaritan would "Clothesline" they guy just on the principle of the thing.

That, my friends, would win an Emmy.

It was getting late in the afternoon and I had to pick up some stuff for dinner. Christine had another meeting to go to so I wouldn't be cooking much. I turned the radio on to the local NPR station. At least if all I was going to hear about was the earthquake, it would be sans the sensationalism.

The facts were finally starting to filter out across the nation.

The earthquake had struck in a rural part of Virginia. Damage was slight. There were no reported deaths. A couple of nuclear generating plants had gone off line like they were designed to do. Airports in the wake of the earthquake were temporarily closed as a precaution.

That's the sort of stuff I want to hear. Facts.

Now it wouldn't be America if there wasn't somebody making fun of the event.

"Best Punchline Delivered During Earthquake 2011" goes to the guy who said this:

"That was an earthquake? I thought it was (New Jersey)Governor Christie jumping into the Presidential race."

That's funny no matter where you're from.

Just a couple post earthquake thoughts.

Let's start with the reaction to the earthquake from our friends out there is Southern California. This headline pretty much says it all. While it is true that California has much more experience with earthquakes of devastating magnitudes, I'd like to see how well they'd fare in a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. While the East Coast buildings are generally inferior seismically to California buildings, the California drainage systems aren't built to handle the water volumes associated with hurricanes. More importantly, evacuating Los Angeles would prove monumental given the sheer number of people and given their inexperience in evacuations. Mark my words, one of these days a big storm is going to hit Southern California. It will not be a pretty sight.

Now then, the overreaction by the East Coast media. For God's sake media people! There's enough really scary crap going on out there without you folks trying to amp it up some more for the sake of ratings. By the time the "quake" reached Philadelphia, and New York City, the force had waned considerably. Sure, it was a rare occurrence, but for f#ck's sake use some sound judgement. Gather the facts, get on the air, and report them to the general populace without all the histrionics. Are sound judgement and common sense so rare in reporting that it has become easy to dismiss them as necessities?

Hurricane Irene is scheduled to make her appearance on the Eastern seaboard this weekend. I'm not looking forward to either the storm nor the over the top reporting.

Three things you are guaranteed to see this weekend in regards to the storm:

- A report on the fools who choose to stay in the path of the storm citing the other storms they've survived.

- Lots of pictures of fishing piers taken during the storm. Expect more than a few to collapse.

- Some clown from The Weather Channel wearing a rain slicker reporting from the landfall of Hurricane Irene.

Maybe I'll just listen to NPR all weekend instead.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Sunday FunDay - Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner

2011-08-22T10:36:00.007-05:00

First though, let's start off with this warning from you friendly local bread man in Newark, Delaware:

You really take your chances in Delaware if you are "unauthorized to use" a bread box. I doubt anyone would steal it to use for moving clothes or the such. However, it is obvious that Delaware has strict bread delivery box laws. Even more obvious is that D'Ambrosio's bakery will see that you're prosecuted to the fullest extent.

Let the box thieves beware.

That was Thursday.

Yesterday was a big day in the kitchen here. Lots of good food requiring hours of preparation.

Of all the days for my camera's batteries to die.

Earlier this Summer I volunteered my cooking services as a prize in a "Chinese Auction". The fundraiser was held to raise money for the local public library. My donation was a "Sunday Go To Meetin' Dinner" consisting of the following:

- Two whole chickens cooked either "Southern Fried" or "Savory Roasted"

- Garlic mashed potatoes

- Giblet gravy

- "Southern Style" Green beans with ham

- Peach cobbler made with fresh South Jersey peaches

- Cast iron skillet cornbread

Early last week, the winner sent me an e-mail asking if I could have her prize ready and delivered by 5:30 pm yesterday.

I appreciated the early notice.

Yesterday I spent from 10:30 am until 5:15 pm in this kitchen, mostly on my feet. Since I was making every dish from scratch, I had to reuse every bowl, spatula, mixing spoon, and knife we have.

Everything went smoothly. That's highly unusual since there's always at least one thing where the proverbial "wheels come off". The closest thing to a disaster came when I tasted what was the base of the giblet gravy. I had simmered the giblets in some chicken stock and some pan liquid. At first taste it seemed too salty. I started to get a bit agitated when I realized that the addition of the milk/flour slurry would thin the mixture out.

Turns out I was right. The gravy came out flawless.

I delivered the meal right on schedule. The winner was a nice little old lady. She had invited some family members to join her. I brought the food pans in the house. It made me happy to see she had her table immaculately set for a Sunday family dinner. So many folks these days have abandoned the Sunday family dinner.

It made me even happier to see the smiles on everybody's faces.

As I was leaving, the nice lady tried to tip me five dollars for gas.

I thanked her but refused the money. After all, this was my donation to the cause.

I arrived home, made a nice cool vodka/bitter lemon, and sat down for a spell.

On a humorous note, after six hours and forty five minutes of cooking, Christine and I still didn't have anything ready for dinner.

We had a plan though.

I won a nice six waffle Cuisinart waffle maker Saturday night at a charity event.

There was a nice package of bacon in the fridge.

We're both big fans of having breakfast for dinner.

So that's what we did.

Sort of a reverse Sunday FunDay.

With a good deed thrown in.

Winner.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

It Takes A Hell Of A Lot Of Gull

2011-08-17T07:24:00.008-05:00

My former employer is at it again.

It is poor decisions like this that used to drive me mad when I was separating airplanes for a living.

Up in New York City, across the Flushing Bay from LaGuardia Airport, the Port Authority of New York wanted to build a garbage transfer station.

Let's face it, "The Big Apple" generates a huge volume of refuse. So much so that they have to actually ship it out via barge for proper disposal. I've been to New York City and the surrounding boroughs. I get it.

Unfortunately, the site Port Authority had in mind was right under the final approach course to LaGuardia's Runway 31.

That also makes it directly in the path of traffic departing Runway 13.

The FAA bought off on the idea. Why, I'll never know. They claim it is outside the area where obstructions would be a problem, and therefore forbidden, for aircraft landing or taking off.

Here's an article that helps explain how that area is determined.

For those familiar, here's what the Instrument Approach Procedure looks like. NOTE: This Approach Plate is out of date. Do not use for navigational purposes!

For those unfamiliar, this is what's called a "Non Precision Approach". It has course guidance via a radio signal called a "Localizer". What it lacks is a radio signal called a "Glide Slope". A "Glide Slope" is a radio signal that gives the pilots a precise descent path to the runway, and therefore allows the plane to descend to a lower altitude on approach. On the Localizer Runway 31 approach, the landing aircraft can only descend to 640 feet.

That 640 feet will be well above the 100 foot high waste transfer station under construction on the other side of Flushing Bay.

So why am I even concerned about a 100 foot high building on the far side of Flushing Bay as it relates to operations departing Runway 13 or landing Runway 31 at LaGuardia?

Simple.

Birds.

LaGuardia already has a bird problem.

Remember USAir Flight 1549?

Captain Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III and crew became reluctant heroes on the afternoon of January 15, 2009.

I say "reluctant" because given their druthers, they'd probably had rather completed the flight to Charlotte, NC rather than splash down in the icy cold waters of the Hudson River.

Unfortunately, due to both engines ingesting a large number of Canadian Geese, the flight to Charlotte was no longer an option.

Bird activity is a problem at a number of airports. Memphis International Airport has the second highest rate of bird strikes per 100,000 operations in the nation. There are millions of black birds that nest around the airport. Why? Because the airport authority purchased entire neighborhoods around the field to settle noise problems. They then tore down all the houses, leaving the trees as a noise barrier. My last year there the airport had an expert come in to estimate the number of birds in the now uninhabited acres of land. The number came back in the millions. Believe me, I worked a number of aircraft that had bird strike events. Most were fairly routine, but some were pretty severe.

Now the problem with birds is that the closer your airport is to water, the larger the birds are. In New Orleans, over at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, they have a lot of sea gulls and brown pelicans around the field. I remember one morning a departing business jet went through a flock of gulls and had to abort their take off. Both engines were destroyed by ingesting the birds.

Fortunately, they didn't get airborne and had enough runway left to stop the aircraft from going into Lake Pontchartrain.

The FAA says the garbage transfer station in New York City is safe. They say it's outside their safety zone. Opponents disagree saying the FAA changed the parameters of the safety zone so as to allow the facility to be built. I won't get into that argument. The courts can decide the outcome of that fight.

My problem with the project is the fact that the building will draw sea gulls by the thousands. Port Authority says that the loading facility will be covered, as will the departing/arriving barges. They say that will keep the sea gull problem to a minimum.

I say they are wrong. Way wrong.

Sea gulls have a keen eye for food and a keener sense of smell. Don't believe me? Go to the nearest coastal body of water with an order of French Fries.

Port Authority can put three covers on the building and the barges if they desire. The sea gulls will be right there en masse.

Port Authority thinks it is safe because the FAA thinks it is safe.

This is the same FAA that's called "The Tombstone Agency".

The same FAA that thought that Sabre Tech was safe aircraft maintenance contractor.

The same FAA that certified that the wiring running through the fuel tanks of Boeing 747's was safe.

The same FAA that approved the extension of the maintenance intervals on Alaska Airlines MD-83 jack screw lubrication requirement because it was "safe".

The same FAA that thought that their oversight of airport security was safe.

Captain Sullenberger thinks the garbage transfer station is unsafe. As reported in this article:

"Sullenberger, whose crew saved all aboard goose-crippled US Airways Flight 1549, blasted the city's plans yesterday.

"It's a bad idea . . . Even an enclosed facility is going to attract birds," he said on CBS's "Early Show."
- Bill Sanderson, New York Post, 17 Aug 2011

I agree with Captain Sullenberger.

It's a bad idea.

Then again, that seems to be business as usual for FAA headquarters.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Air Traffic Mike Versus Green Beans

2011-08-14T12:50:00.002-05:00

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Yesterday I drove out to my favorite produce stand.

I was in search of a bushel of fresh Lima beans.

Sadly, it's still just a little too early for local Lima beans.

Disappointed, I walked around to see what else looked good.

At the far end of the stand there was a big pile of Green beans.

They looked fantastic.

A bag of them would not do.

One bushel of fresh South Jersey Green beans later, I was home.

It's a dreary rainy day here this afternoon.

I looked at the bushel then looked at the sink. With hopeless optimism, I attempted to dump the entire bushel in the left side to start the rinsing process.

It was obvious I was going to need a bigger sink.

Seeing as how installing a new sink would take too much time this afternoon, I'm opting to handle these in two very large batches.

I have no idea how many freezer bags this is going to take.

Not that it really matters.

What matters is that when the cold winds of January come, Christine and I will have a nice touch of Summer in every bag.

Now if all y'all will excuse me, I've got some serious blanching and bagging to do.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

And Sometimes We Cook Pizzas.....

2011-08-12T15:28:00.005-05:00

Last week, down at the Outer Banks, a flat bread dinner was planned.

We had top notch flat breads.

We had top notch pizza sauce.

The various toppings available would make any restaurant envious.

There was plenty of good cheese at hand.

There were also four creative minds available to take advantage of this bounty.

Unfortunately, one of those creative minds was on his second cocktail of the late afternoon.

With that in mind I proudly present my vodka fueled creation:

"Air Traffic Mike's Chili Cheese Dog Pizza"

It takes a big man to cross the cultural divide when it comes to the culinary arts.

It took a moron and two cocktails to come up with this.

First, down one vodka/Wink. For the uninformed, "Wink" is a grapefruit soda first marketed in the 1960's.

Second, make another one to take into the kitchen with you. Cooking can be dangerous, even more so with alcohol involved. However, alcohol can also dull the pain of minor burns. An ounce of preventative vodka is worth a pound of gauze later on.

But I digress.

Back to the recipe.

Spread some mustard on the prepared flat bread.

Add a layer of really good chili*.
*Thanks to my best friend for making another killer batch of his award winning chili.

Add some good quality grilled hot dog slices. These hot dogs are nitrate free and stuffed in natural casings.

Cover with shredded Cheddar/Monterrey Jack blend cheese and thinly sliced white onion.

Bake on a cookie sheet or pizza stone at 425F for six minutes.

Let cool for five minutes, slice, and serve.

Paper plate service. Nothing but the best for this pizza.

Tonight, grilled chili pepper seasoned chicken.

Tomorrow, hopefully a day of shelling, blanching, and freezing of fresh Lima beans. They are just coming into season here in South Jersey. I shelled and cooked some earlier this week. This year's crop is outstanding.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

FUMOT Meets Mass Transportation

2011-08-09T17:02:00.003-05:00

Now you can share the true FUMOT experience with all your friends.

Sometimes southern Delaware heckles itself.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Fishin': The Outcome

2011-08-08T09:51:00.009-05:00

Lot's of stuff to catch up on.

I'll pick up where I left off.

- ATM

- - - - - -

Well, we didn't just go fishing, we went on an adventure.

We arrived at the Oregon Inlet about 45 minutes prior to departure. The winds were blowing pretty good, almost out of due east. We could see plenty of whitecaps in the offing out near the sound. That really didn't concern us too much. We were planning on fishing the inside the inlet where the waters were much calmer.

There was some time to kill after check in. It seemed like a good time to park over near the boat and watch to see what the morning fishing trips were bringing in.

A larger charter boat came in with a happy looking group of four aboard. They had been fishing near where we were planning to go. They had nothing spectacular aboard, but they did have a nice catch of some smaller bluefish. Bluefish are a bit strong on the "fishy taste" scale, but provide a good fight when hooked up.

A few minutes later a "party boat" came in with a full load of passengers, but not much in the way of fish. I made the observation that everybody has a big smile on their faces when "party boats" go out, but very few upon their return.

I've always found them to be too crowded. One person hooks a fish and then all Hell breaks loose. First, everybody is going to crowd around the lucky fisherman. During that time, not one will make any effort to get their line out of the water to give the guy with a fish on a fighting chance of getting it aboard without a tangle. The final insult is that IF the guy with a fish on has to move from his spot during the process of landing the fish, some ignorant bastard is going to jump in that spot figuring that's where the rest of the fish in the ocean are schooling.

Fishing is supposed to be a relaxing hobby. It's not supposed to be 30 people with tackle running around like a flash mob.

My friend pointed out that our captain was aboard the boat we had chartered. His son went to grab our cooler from the truck, we walked over to talk to the captain.

The captain was a bit younger than us. As we approached the slip, he was in a lively conversation with the crew in the next slip. He seemed to be an affable sort.

My friend and I have been on several charters in the past. A couple of times we ran into a situation where the captain and first mate were complete jerks. That's a chance you take when you charter in the blind at times.

I'm happy to report that this was not the situation.

Our captain, Lee Johnson, skipper of the "Gouger" is a stand up guy. He greeted us warmly at the pier and made us feel right at home. He asked us what we would like to fish for today. We told him we thought an inland trip might be in order due to the winds, but wanted to hear his recommendations.

He gave us a couple options to consider. Then he mentioned that dolphin fish were being caught offshore.

"If you don't mind getting wet and beat up a bit, the dolphin are hitting pretty good out there."

We looked at each other. My best friend's son got a bit of a smile.

It was a done deal.

We loaded up on the boat and headed out.

Here's a 1:10 minute clip of the ride:

Most of the rest of the time the seas were too rough for videoing.

We caught a couple fish trolling on the way out.

That sort of made us forget about the bouncy, wet ride.

When we reached the spot the skipper wanted to take us it was, "Fish On!!!!!".

The skipper had put us on a small school of dolphin.

He handed my friend and his son a couple of lighter rods and reels.

That REALLY made it fun!

All good things must end. The dolphin eventually quit feeding, giving way to some smaller fish also hanging around the area.

We headed back in, trolling for more dolphin on the way back.

Going with the waves was a much nicer ride than going out against them and the wind.

Still, we had some pretty big swells to contend with.

Doesn't look TOO bad, does it?

Don't let the two dimensions of the photo fool you.

The prop wash that finishes up and to the left of the photo stops where it does only because that's the top of the wave coming from behind the boat. It was just slightly above the top of my six foot high head. About 25 seconds later, we passed over it as it passed us by.

I put my camera away.

Just in time, too.

One minute or so later, the fishing pole to my left nearly bent in half.

I grabbed it and started reeling in.

That's when I realized we had a larger fish than we were catching earlier.

It took a bit of effort, but I got it up to the boat where Captain Lee gaffed it.

We were all pretty pleased with that fish.

The captain trolled a few more miles for dolphin. We caught a couple more smaller ones and a couple of smallish Bonita.

Shortly after that we called it a day and headed in.

It was a much smoother ride as we approached the bridge on the way in.

Apparently, at least in the larger boats, you have your choice of color.

Largest fish of the day.

The day's catch: 13 Dolphin, 4 Atlantic Bonita, and 3 Skipjack.

Not a bad day of fishing.

The adventure was well worth it.

Oh, I brought home the fillets from the big catch.

I cooked them for Christine and myself.

They came out something like this:

(From L to R)Baked Dolphin fish, Christine's cornbread(upper right), Southern style green beans(lower right), Creole okra and tomatoes over white rice(bowl).

That was some fine eating from scratch last night.

My hat's off to Lee Johnson, skipper of the "Gouger". His charter services come with my highest recommendation. You can book him and his boat here, or call Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at 1(800)272-5199. At this time the only way to book Captain Johnson and his boat is through OIFC.

Believe me, I'll book him and "Gouger" again next time I'm down.

Thanks once again to my best friend and his son for an unforgettable day.

Lifetimes are made up of moments both great and small.

This trip was one of the great ones.

You guys are the best.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Gone Fishin'

2011-08-04T15:41:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I treated my best friend, his sons, and myself to a hour on the biggest wave riders we could find.

It was only fair. He paid for lunch.

His youngest couldn't operate one on his own so he shared that one with his Dad. The good news is he was old enough to drive it if his Dad was on board.

His oldest son and I each had our own.

A good time was had by all.

How can a person not have a good time skipping across the water at speeds that averaged between 45 to 50 miles per hour?

The hour went by all too fast, but it rocked!

We got home late in the afternoon.

The boys walked over to the beach with a couple surf rods and some squid bait.

Around 7:00 pm Doc and I walked over to check on them.

Not a single bite, but they did get some good skim boarding time in.

Any rant I had left about the FAA furloughs was left far behind by that point in the day.

The beautiful sunset sealed it.

It's hard for me to be irate at the beach.

Today, due to a small sunburn issue, I stayed in.

Tomorrow that's not an option.

My best friend booked an afternoon fishing trip out of the Oregon Inlet. The tides look good for the trip and it will just be the four of us on a 27 foot boat. We could have opted for a "party boat" where we could fish with 30 to 40 other folks.

Too many tangled lines and rookies on those boats.

Tonight, it's "Roll Your Own" pizza night.

Wait until you see my entry.

Watch for photos tomorrow.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Thrity Years Ago Today

2011-08-03T07:39:00.003-05:00

I was busy working my two Summer jobs.

I was making as much money as I could.

That's how my Summer's went. I was paying my own college tuition.

I was also keenly keeping up with the news. After negotiations failed, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) called for a strike..

It was a huge gamble that would eventually fail for the union.

It would also open the door wide open for me to get hired by the FAA.

I find it ironic that 30 years later the FAA is once again in turmoil. Courtesy of partisan politics, over 4,000 FAA personnel find themselves furloughed.

Some might argue that these "non-essential" personnel are just that. One could argue that layoffs happen all the time in the vaunted "private sector". I've heard some opinions that this shows just how much fat there is in what is viewed as a much too large Federal government.

Oh, and lets not forget the 85,000 plus "private sector" jobs that are on hold along with the now unfunded construction projects.

The President, Secretary of Transportation, and FAA Administrator have all expressed their frustrations and dismay over this situation.

Most of the Republicans in the House could care less. It's August and they hightailed it out of Washington, D.C. as soon as the budget compromise was reached. The matter of having a small percentage of Federal employees furloughed is seemingly insignificant to them.

The President could get every one of them back into Washington and get this matter resolved.

He'd just have to show some leadership.

There are times when finesse is called for, times for compromise, and times someone just has to wrest control and take charge.

The President has the power to do just that.

However, it is going to be really distasteful.

How distasteful?

The Republican members of the House and Senate would simultaneously lose complete control of their bowels.

It would be one of the biggest "big balls" moves in the history of the United States.

How, you ask?

Take a lesson from the failed PATCO strike.

All the President has to do, not threaten mind you, HAS to do is issue one Executive Order.

One.

By Executive Order, shut down the National Airspace System.

Furlough the ENTIRE FAA.

Let the major airlines sit on the ground.

No air travel for vacation.

No air travel for business.

No FedEx.

What the Hell, the current lack of ticket tax collections will result in a $1.2 billion loss to the Federal tax coffers.

I say let's share the pain.

Ground everybody and make everybody lose some cash.

No exceptions.

Make the vacationing House of Representatives drive back to work. I guess the Hawaiian delegation is going to have to start out by boat.

Regardless, don't come off the shut down until the gridlock is resolved.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Government has to be run like a government. It is too complex to run like a business. Nobody runs a business like a household. The rules don't translate. That's precisely why the "government run like a business" paradigm is doomed to fail.

Shutting down the National Airspace System let's the President take control of the situation. The House of Representatives may not respond quickly to the President from time to time, but they respond immediately to the special interest groups that fund their campaign coffers.

The airlines would scream bloody murder. Businesses that rely on overnight shipping will start hemorrhaging cash in a hurry. Layoffs will come quickly.

Instead of the Republican lead House of Representatives holding 90,000 Federal employees and civilian jobs "hostage" over the FAA funding bill, the President would be holding everybody "hostage" until the House finishes it's work.

I'm pretty sure the gridlock would cease and desist quickly.

Thirty years ago I was working two jobs.

Today I'm retired and on vacation.

Off to the beach.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Vacation(cont'd)

2011-08-01T08:20:00.002-05:00

Pretty much sums up the word "vacation" in one shot.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Vacation

2011-07-30T02:18:00.005-05:00

Greetings from the Outer Banks.

Okay, I admit it, every day since 25 April 2009 has been a vacation day.

Not that I didn't work on a lot of those days.

I just wasn't officially employed.

Christine was supposed to be with me on this trip.

She got sick and had to stay home.

The good news is my best friend and his family are fixing to join me in a few days.

The better news is that my niece will have the pleasure of meeting her first child this weekend.

The best news is that after so much bad news, my late brother Bruce's wife, "Sis" as we call her, is going to be a grandmother. She was, and is, an awesome mother. My great nephew, Conner is his name, is coming into a fine and loving a family. Any child would be lucky to have the same.

I'm just sorry his grandfather couldn't be here.

I'm happy to say his great uncles will tell Conner all about him.

That's going to take a long time.

There's no way we could sum Bruce up in a series of books, let alone a few sentences.

His quotes alone would fill a set of encyclopedias.

Sayings like, "Being late is a character flaw.", "Don't let yourself get caught in the *Scared money* line.", and my favorite, "I'm loved by many and that's more than a few.".

Believe me, there are lots more.

Bruce was, just like the rest of us, a man of many words.

Oh, his best quote?

"I love you.".

He told his family that every day.

He meant it, too.

Bruce never took words, as such, lightly.

Today, I'm on vacation.

I just wish my older brother could be here with all of us.

To be with his wife as their grandson comes into the world.

To be with his son as his newest nephew comes into the world.

To be with his daughter and son in law as their first son comes into the world.

To be with me as the sun rises.

I admit I'm being selfish wishing he was here with me.

Then again, I know how much he loved this place.

He loved Sis, Chris, and Linds a thousand times more.

Please excuse me if I cry for both joy and sorrow.

Like everybody else, I miss Bruce terribly.

However, today I'll still be on vacation.

Donna, Christopher, and David will be at the hospital.

Bruce will be there too, watching over his family as his grandson comes into this world.

I just wish his words could be heard one more time.

Lord knows he'd have a memorable quote.

Bruce always did.

Godspeed Conner, welcome to the family.

On behalf of your grandfather let me say, "We love you.".

I'll see you next Saturday.

Uncle Mike.

One Person, One Vote

2011-07-29T04:20:00.005-05:00

Voter fraud.

It is as old as the voting process itself.

Why?

Because some people, for various reasons, find it necessary to cheat.

Earlier this year the Tennessee Legislature passed a state law requiring voters to bring a photo ID to the polls in order to participate in the electoral process.

Obviously, this isn't sitting well with some folks.

Memphis' newspaper, The Commercial Appeal reports on that here this morning.

A couple snippets from the article. First this:

"The Republican-backed campaign to require photo IDs for Tennessee voters ended in June, but passage of the photo ID bill still angers Memphian Michael Blanner, who invites legislators to "pucker up and kiss my grits."

Blanner, 63, says he can be "a crank sometimes." But he says legislators who voted to require photo IDs disenfranchised a large number of voters, including a growing segment of older voters like him."
-- Michael Lollar reporting, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 7/29/11
(emphasis added by me - ATM)

Then this:

"Blanner, a sales representative, is not alone. The ACLU, the League of Women Voters, NAACP, AARP and the consumer-rights group Tennessee Citizen Action are critics of the photo ID law."
-- Michael Lollar reporting, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 7/29/11

Let's talk about disenfranchising first. I find that to be a very weak argument. Most folks that vote have a state issued driver's license with a photo of themselves on it. Now there is an option in Tennessee, for those 60 years and older, to forgo the photo. I guess for vanity's sake. Still, for those who don't have a photo license or a license at all, the state will provide a state issued photo ID free of charge. All one has to do is get to a Department of Motor Vehicle office with some documentation. The previous link provides a list of the items necessary.

Some would say that making someone stand in line at the DMV could be construed as "cruel and unusual punishment". I won't argue the "cruel" part. In some states, the wait in a DMV line can be unbearable. However, sadly, it's not that "unusual". "Waiting" is a part of everyday life.

Others argue that some of the rural areas aren't well served by a DMV office. The travel will put an unnecessary burden on the poor and elderly of those areas. There is a little merit to that. Unfortunately for those who take that position, very little merit. This is America. In case you haven't noticed, we're in the 21st Century. Is there nobody these rural poor knows that has a car? Do the buses not run? How many church buses suddenly become available to those folks on Election Day?

The real problem is people don't want to be inconvenienced.

Sorry, but "inconvenience" doesn't add up to "disenfranchisement".

However, "voter fraud" does. It disenfranchises every honest voter in the nation.

If someone can't figure a way to get to the DMV for a few hours in between Election Days, they have nobody to blame their "disenfranchisement" on but themselves.

If someone shows up to vote and has no photo identification, they can only blame themself. Tennessee is making every effort to inform its voters of the requirement.

Now then, as for the ACLU, League of Women Voters, NAACP, AARP, and the Tennessee Citizen Action groups, here's an idea.

It's cheaper than running irate ads.

It's cheaper than filing a bunch of losing lawsuits.

It makes sense if you step away from the "agendas" and consider it.

Unfortunately, it also has the least chance of being considered by the lot of them.

Use the money to inform your members on how they can get a state issued photo ID. Help them organize their paperwork. Then, transport the people you claim to represent to the DMV.

Get those poor, old, no car having, no bus service having, I don't want to stand in line, I just want to vote, bastards what they need to be "franchised".

That won't happen on a large scale though.

It's too inconvenient for organizations.

It's much easier and more lucrative to scare people via ad campaigns. Scared people send in donations.

Donations that will still never get them to the DMV to get a state issued photo ID.

This is still America.

You have the right to vote.

However, we all have the right for our vote to count equally.

When that happens, only the "cheaters" in society are disenfranchised.

"Voter ID" laws make that much more probable.

I can live with that.

My condolences to the voters of New Hampshire and North Carolina where the governors vetoed voter ID laws passed by their respective legislatures.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

The Only Thing New In The World....

2011-07-27T07:52:00.003-05:00

is the history you haven't learned.

Right now, the aviation industry is pushing "NextGen" as the panacea for all the airline operating cost woes, delay woes, and greenhouse gas woes.

I'd really like to tear into this topic, but with Christine in the hospital, I'm sort of busy.

Fortunately a gentleman named Don Brown has "The Flick". Please read his blog from today for an interesting perspective from around 1946.

It's never too late to "Get The Flick".

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

"Boney Billy" Update

2011-07-23T08:55:00.009-05:00

Wow, time flies when you're having fun.

It's been just around six months since we first found out about a little dog that, apparently, someone felt they could live without.

They felt so strongly about it, that they threw him to the curb in the dead of Winter.

The curb they threw him to couldn't have been less conducive to survival.

In a matter of weeks, he had dropped down to five pounds. He had lost a great deal of muscle mass.

Now this isn't a story of despair, mind you.

"Billy's" story is a story of love and victory.

When we first were able to visit with him, his foster family had raised his weight to 8.5 pounds.

We could still see his ribs sticking out under his skin. His waist was much thinner than his pelvis.

He was, with good cause, wary of any "strangers".

He was also soliciting for any and all snacks/treats folks might be carrying around.

It would take another week for him to put enough weight on for the SPCA to neuter him and for us to bring him home.

Even at ten pounds (minus two testicles) he was "boney".

See what I meant about his waist?

His sternum stuck out like the bow of an oil tanker.

I took to calling him, "Big Boney Billy".

It took two more months of good nutrition and exercise to start getting his muscle tone back to where it should have been.

He was a bit wary of us for the first couple of days. After all, how was he to know if this was his last stop? In the last month and a half of his life he'd been tossed to the curb to die, taken in by strangers with a pack of three dogs, taken back to the SPCA, knocked out and neutered, and now he was in yet another home with two more strangers.

Turmoil is a lot calmer than what he'd been through.

We knew what he didn't.

This was his last stop.

Once he figured it out, he started to open up.

Once he opened up, we realized what a great little dog we'd adopted.

In six months he's gone from nearly dying by a highway to a warm, loving, and safe home. He's also become a well travelled little fellow. He's been to Virginia Beach, VA, Brigantine, NJ, and Harper's Ferry, WV.

Later this week he's on his way to Nags Head, NC via a stop in Virginia Beach, VA. With any luck, we'll get to meet my new great nephew. He was due earlier this week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for his birth today or tomorrow.

It's Sis' first grandson.

We couldn't be happier for her and the new parents.

That includes "Big Boney Billy".

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Beating The Heat, Splitty Style

2011-07-20T07:32:00.009-05:00

We're officially in the throes of Summer.

Is 102 degrees hot enough for you?

It is for me.

Splitty the Maul and I were discussing the heat during a ride around the county yesterday.

Sometimes it's good just to go out for a drive.

Anyway, Splitty decided to make a bet with me. The loser would have to buy the winner a beer.

Take a bet against a maul for a beer?

Any day.

Splitty has a 25% winning average when it comes to bets.

Oh, the bet?

Splitty told me he could reduce the temperature around the car by 20 degrees in less than 10 minutes.

102 degrees to 82 degrees?

That's a bet.

Splitty gave me directions back to Pennsville.

Specifically, to a car wash.

Suddenly, I felt ill at ease.

I took the bet, so I paid the $10.00 for the top wash package.

I figured, "Heck, may as well get the AirTrafficMobile really shiny.".

Once again, the starting temperature.

I pulled into the wash bay.

Splitty was feeling confident.

I hate it when he gets that smug grin.

The wash started.

Within two minutes the temperature had dropped eleven degrees.

This was not going well.

Unless, of course, you were Splitty the Maul.

Pretty soon, the soap cycle came.

Splitty the Maul's confidence did not wane.

I didn't want to look, but I just had to.

Damn, 88 degrees and falling.

I muttered something about dumb bets.

Splitty just sat there, grinning and trying not to make eye contact.

I was starting to give up all hope.

I couldn't bear to look up during the first rinse cycle.

Then the Rain-X cycle started.

Splitty made a comment about time travel back to the "Hippie Era" and uttered, "Cool man, cool!".

I looked up.

He had a point there.

I thought he was making a hippie joke.

It turns out he was talking about the AirTrafficMobile's outside temperature.

That was now down to 86 degrees.

We still had a "Clear Coat" cycle, two rinses, and an air dry to go.

I could hardly bear to watch.

Splitty was already tasting his soon to be free beer.

Mauls dig free beer.

The last cycles of the wash finished.

The high velocity blow dryer kicked on.

Splitty made a nod towards my outside temperature gauge.

I turned away and muttered one of those words that's best left muttered.

Splitty just sat there and grinned.

With nothing left to do but pay off the bet, we headed back to the house.

I gathered up the ingredients necessary to make a Crab Alfredo Pizza.

Splitty sat down and enjoyed his celebratory Stella Artois.

Splitty digs Stella Artois.

If you ever lose a bet to him, plan on buying some.

He said he felt 20 degrees cooler drinking his "Victory Beer".

I just grumbled one of those phrases best left grumbled and fired up the oven.

Today looks like it's going to be even hotter.

Seems like a good day to leave the AirTrafficMobile right where it is.

Seems like a better day to leave me where I am as well.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Ugh!

2011-07-19T06:39:00.007-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days folks.

Okay, nine days to be exact.

It isn't that there hasn't been a plethora of topics to rant/comment about. God knows the budget debacle, the last flight of the space shuttle program, and the overdue comeuppance that tabloid king Rupert Murdoch finds himself in, aren't worthy topics.

I hit a "writer's rut". A "rut" is much different from a "writer's block". There was no problem formulating the words, just a lack of passion to do so.

Frankly, I'm just reaching the waning stage of it.

Just in time for a massive allergy attack. Along with my usual assortment of vitamins, supplements, and medicine, I had to add two (non-drowsy) allergy tablets.

These days I take a lot of pills in the morning.

Maybe even more than Elvis did at the end of his career.

You may be asking yourself, "ATM, really, what do you consider to be a lot of pills and capsules?".

Well, take a look and tell me.

It starts off looking like this. One 325mg aspirin, one generic 10mg Claratin tablet, one 10mg Bystolic tablet(for high blood pressure), and one 20mg generic Pepcid tablet.

That may not seem so bad.

In fact, it's not.

However, just like they say on the infomercials.........

"But wait.....there's MORE!!!!!!!"

Next I add two vitamin supplements (NSA's "Juice Plus"), one 100mg Co Q-10 (for heart health), one 500mg niacin (heart health), two 1200mg fish oil (heart), and to help the generic Claritin get a good start, the aforementioned two 30mg generic Sudafed tablets.

Look at this lineup.

I can hear my late brother Bruce grousing, "Even junkies don't take that many pills."

I'd be inclined to agree with him.

However, since I am trying to undo 25 years of shift work and the "Air Traffic Controller's Diet", I appreciate the help.

The "Air Traffic Controller's Diet" is based mostly on foods found in break room snack machines, anything high carb/fat/salty, and anything free.

We actually had a table in the Memphis Tower/Approach break room that was called the "Free Table". The "Free Table" was where employees leftovers from home and occasional nice acts like someone bringing in 48 Krispy Kreme doughnuts, would be sacrificed to our coworkers.

It was the sacrificial altar of unwanted food.

The following is a perfect example.

Say one of the coworkers had a birthday party for one of their children. Despite the partygoers best efforts, he/she was left with 3/4 of a 20lb. sheet cake. Nobody in their right mind would want their children eating on this cake for the rest of the week. The "sugar highs" of the family would be unbearable.

What's a Memphis Tower/Approach controller to do?

When the kids aren't looking, grab the cake and make a dash for the car. Drive it to work and put it on the "Free Table".

It will be gone in less than 10 minutes.

Why? It is high in carbohydrates. It is high in fat. Most importantly, it's free.

More than once I actually witnessed a coworker lop off a huge slab of sheet cake from one on the "Free Table", wrap it up, and take it home to his family.

I'm not kidding.

He was that cheap and besides, the cake "WAS" free.

When the holidays came, the "Free Table" looked more like an "All You Can Eat" buffet.

I can tell you for a fact that a couple of decades of bad eating habits WILL take a toll.

I'm just stemming the tide a bit.

It's good to be back on the keyboard this morning.

The break was needed and welcome.

Now then, off to wash the dishes and water the plants. I have plans to take a ride out in the county today to see the sights and take some pictures.

Splitty the Maul is psyched.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

A Hot Time In The Olde Towne

2011-07-10T09:05:00.009-05:00

It isn't unusual for Christine to work on Saturdays.

Yesterday she had a showing on a property at 10:30 am. I was sitting here at the house trying to come up with something we could do later in the afternoon.

We had a limited time budget due to the bladder sizes of two Dachshunds who'd be staying back at the house.

I went online and searched out local historic sites.

I didn't search long because an idea came to me.

There's a small town on the other side of the Delaware River called New Castle. Once upon a time, before the Delaware Memorial bridges were built, Routes 13, 40, and 301 were connected via ferry boat between Pennsville, NJ and New Castle, DE. Like Pennsville, New Castle was settled by the Swedes, Finns, Dutch, and English back in the 1600's.

The New Castle County Courthouse.

I figured a late lunch in Olde Towne New Castle might be a bit of fun.

There were a fair number of restaurants listed in the area. I settled for a place called Jessop's Tavern.

It took all of 20 minutes to get there.

As soon as we saw the place we had a really good feeling about it.

The building itself was built in 1674. It had the feel of a late 1700's tavern. Big plank wooden floors, antique tables, and a low ceiling. The pub was a very inviting place. The lighting was kept dim and the air temperature was perfect.

One advantage of having a late lunch is not having to fight the crowds.

The menu featured a lot of foods one would expect from a tavern back in the day. Dutch Pot Roast, a selection of freshly cooked pot pies (including oyster pot pie!), sandwiches on pretzel bread, various seafood dishes, and salads.

Christine and I both had difficulty chosing what to order. Everything sounded wonderful.

We ordered a couple of draft beers. I had a local microbrewed pale ale, Christine opted for a Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale.

After a bit of beer, we finally made up our minds. I ordered a cup of Ham and Potato soup and the fish and chips. Christine ordered an appetizer of fresh fried oysters and a salad called "The Barrel". "The Barrel" is an enormous salad with tavern roasted turkey, grilled steak, and Stilton Blue Cheese.

The ham and potato soup was outstanding. I would have been happy to have had a bowl of that and a salad. It needed no additional seasonings whatsoever. Christine's fried oyster appetizer was a generous portion of hand breaded oysters, perfectly fried, served with a honey/hot pepper dipping sauce. I only tried two. I had a feeling our lunch plates would also contain generous portions of food.

I'm happy to report I was right.

My fish and chips. The fish was hot and crispy and the pieces were huge. They dusted them with a really tasty spice blend.

Christine's "Barrel". Told you it was big. The picture doesn't do the portion justice. Christine opted for a Vidalia onion dressing that was so good I could have just eaten it with some bread.

On a scale of one to ten, with "ten" being the highest, I had to give Jessop's Tavern a 9.5. The loss of the half point came at the end when we had trouble tracking down our waitress. She apparently was sent next door to assist with another portion of the business. It was a minor annoyance, but that sort of stuff happens from time to time.

We didn't have much time left after lunch. I would have liked to have spent more time wandering around the Olde Towne area. We did take a walk down to the river and an area called Battery Park. A wedding was in progress in the park. It was nice to see people using and enjoying the riverfront park. As we headed back to the AirTrafficMobile, Christine pointed out a "Bed and Breakfast" just a block from the tavern.

We decided we'd do an overnight one weekend in August. That will allow us to have dinner at the tavern, do some exploring, and enjoy some adult beverages without the worry of driving.

Besides, even if it is only twenty minutes, it is nice to get away once in a while.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.