On the Road Again, or In the Air Tonight or North to Alaska

I left Tampa today. I am enroute to Cordova, Alaska. First, an airline flight to Providence, RI. Good old Southwest. I have no choice when I travel for business, but I never signed up for the frequent flyer program for Southwest because, I wouldn't use them for a flight on my own time even if it were free. Airline travel in general has gotten noticably worse over the past year or so and Southwest is one of my least favorite airlines. AirTran ranks even lower. I have to say though that lately Southwest has been getting me North early almost every trip, but I've been delayed coming back home almost as often. Anyway, I'm on my way. I'm off to Hyannis, MA on Cape Cod. I am picking up our Twin Otter that was up here on another project, and we are flying to Alaska by way of Seattle. It should be a great trip, my first true cross country. I've flown from Cape Cod to Boulder and from Astoria to Boulder, but never coast to coast in one trip. It will take us about two days to get to Seattle, if weather is cooperative. The Otter is a great plane, but speed is not it's strong suit. That's ok, if the weather is clear there's some great scenery awaiting us. I am really looking forward to the trip from Seattle up to Alaska though, coastal flying along the Inside Passage if it's clear. I can't wait. Photos will be forthcoming. Stay tuned.

I know, I know, where are the pictures?

During my last trip I had started using a trial version of a photo editor that came with my laptop. I don't touch up the pictures too much, but given that most of my photos are taken through an aircraft window, under less than ideal lighting conditions by a pure amateur, sometimes they can use just a bit of help. In any event, with all the house stuff, and dog stuff, and going to the office, the trial software expired and most of my photos were not web friendly so I stalled on the trip photos. I just bit the bullet and bought a copy of Paint Shop Pro X. So far I like what I see, it's not Photoshop, but then again, I don't use 95% of what Photoshop can do. So now, I have alleviated the software excuse, and soon the time excuse will be history and I will be back to posting photos in no time. Pardon the dust.

Coffee Wars, I coulda Bean a contender

I live in Seminole Heights and back in May the much-heralded Starbucks debuted in our neighborhood. I spent some time out West where coffee is king and was quite familiar with Starbucks, but never really was a devotee. Out in Oregon and Washington the drive-up coffee stands are as dense as Waffle Houses are in Georgia, and Dunkin Donuts are in the Northeast. Maybe even more so. Most of these are single site entreprenuers, and the coffee is more often
than not quite tasty. Usually quite better than Starbucks, and in most areas they hold their own against the global chain.
Now compare this to Tampa, the only true competitor in the realm of drive up coffee stands is to my knowledge, Indigo Coffee(I know that there's a drive up coffee stand in Brandon, or at least there used to be, but have no experience with them to compare, besides Brandon is a whole other world :-).
I've lived here for approximately a year and my commute takes me right past two locations, MLK and 275, and the one between Howard and Armenia at 275. For the better part of that year if I left after 7am I may as well forget getting in and out of Indigo in enough time to get to work on time. The one at Howard usually had traffic backed up around the store on one side and spilling on to Green St. They must have been making a killing. But that seems to be changing. I noticed this morning that Indigo coffee at their NoHo location has further cut back their hours(I had heard they had done so previously, but can't confirm) I was wondering if this is due to a lack of business. I also considered that it might be the Summer weather. It's hot, so people may not drink as much coffee. But, no one has told that to Starbuck's customers. They are packed every day I pass that location. Is Starbucks killing Indigo?
Now, coffee is definitely about taste, and we all have different ideas of what's good. Many people claim Starbucks is nasty and tastes burnt. Some people think it's the greatest thing on earth. In my opinion Starbucks coffee is good, but not great coffee and if nothing else, consistent and predictable. Tastewise I think Indigo has better tasting drip coffee, still not great, but better, and their Cafe Indigo is, as they say, "to die for". So I have to wonder why does it seem that a single store has such a profound effect on two established locations. I hypothesize that its the overall experience that draws folks to SB vs Indigo. While I have never had a rude or even impolite employee at Indigo, they were never what I would call friendly either. Starbucks employees at the Seminole Heights location have always been friendly and warm, with a quick smile. On a few occasions, I've even had a brief chat while the drink was being created.
At Indigo speed does not seem to be their strong suit either. Starbucks has the workflow down and can turn out caffeine-laden beverages at breakneck pace. I have waited longer when I was the only car in the line at Indigo than I have when I was the 3rd car back at Starbucks. For morning commuters, time is most likely their main concern.Indigo might have to revisit how they operate. I for one hope they can manage to stay competitive.
A third player in this war might be able to do well. Out west they have what were colloquially known as "Slut huts." Think drive up coffee meets Hooters waitresses, sort of, but with more clothing(Though there was at least one where barristas in bikinis were their claim to fame). The drive up coffee shacks were staffed with cute young ladies with bubbly personalities and they could turn out coffee like it was going out of style. The contractors trucks would line up 10 deep for these joints. And the coffee usually put Starbuck's to shame. One of these places could often hold their own with a Starbucks right next door. Drive by the Seminole Heights Starbucks and its easy to see that they are currently winning the coffee war. The place is always packed.

How many blogs before there are too many?

I've only been blogging for a short time but, I am starting to wonder if the world is slowly becoming blogged out. I guess the big question I have is how many is too many. It would seem to me that all the blogs out there dilute the readership and most of the readership comes from fellow bloggers. Who has time to read all these blogs? I know I don't. I started my blog merely to provide a clearinghouse for keeping friends and family up to date with my travels. My mom inevitably asks me regularly "Where are you again?" Once I caught the blogging bug, however, and a few folks came across the site, I started to expand the blog with some thoughts and observations for my "audience." Only to discover that I really don't have one. I am coming to the conclusion that the only people who are repeat visitors are other bloggers from traffic generators who don't stay long enough to even read it. I myself have been guilty of that too, regretfully. Anyway, I was just wondering how many blogs does it take dilute the potential readership to the point where no one actually reads anything, and are we there yet?

Time waits not for me

I used to think I had a full plate. That was before about two months ago when we decided to get a puppy. I've always been quite fond of the herding breeds, particularly the Austrailian Cattle Dog or Blue Heeler. When I lived out west we adopted a rescue ACD that was about 4 years old. She had been the sole companion for an elderly woman her entire life and never properly socialized. Long story short, she had several issues, and we had to find her a more suitable home. She's actually living a life of which I am quite envious. The retired couple who adopted her spend summers in British Columbia RVing and Sailing, and winter in Arizona. They had previous companions of the same breed that had spent their alotted time on this earth, and they fell in love with Hillary from the first moment.
In any event, we thought long and hard about getting a new dog. Now that we have our own home and a somewhat predictable routine, the time seemed right. I must mention that I am totally a dog person, while my fiance, however, is, or at least was not at all. Totally a cat person she was initially. Now don't get me wrong, I like cats a lot as well, but I prefer canines. Before we left the NW she spent a few days in Victoria, BC and saw what she thought was the cutest dog she had ever seen. She had said that if we ever get another dog, thats the kind she would want to try. Lucky for me it was a herder. So after much searching and contemplation in May we decided to get Gideon, our Pembroke Welsh Corgi. I will post a picture later today. Unfortunately, I don't have access to my photos at the moment.
He was about 4 months old when we brough him home and it was truly akin to bringing home a child. I know parents will caution me that there is no comparison, but until I have a child of my own, this comes pretty close to what I imagine, if perhaps of a slightly lower magnitude. So back to my point. I never grasped just how much attention this little guy craves. It is so rewarding even while draining at times. He is now approaching 6 months of age, he is getting more and more independent, yet still behaves like an adolescent of pushing his boundaries.
We have doggy doors and have given him virtually free run of the back yard, but on a few occasions he has come in soaking wet, from what we can only assume is a frolic in the decorative pond in the back yard. It's a constant see-saw of letting him come and go as he pleases, but keeping a close enough eye on him to discourage those sorts of things. I have to say that while its a bit of work, he really is pretty smart and catches on more readily than I would have figured. And my fiance, well I think she's becoming a dog person more and more each day, at least this dog's person. Now our mornings are a little busier and our evenings are a little less relaxed. But, I would like to think that I am less selfish than I was before(never realizing how self-centered I perhaps was). Gideon brings such joy and energy to our home. Who needs time anyways?

One of my favorite "blogs"

OK, for some reason unknown to me, I go through times when I read this "blog" religiously and times when it completely drops off my radar. I love the idea, the project was so brilliant and inspired and I am sure has helped a plethora of folks either through telling a secret or reading the secrets of others. Anyway, if you've seen it before, check it out again, if not, I recommend a trip over to the site. It's worth it.
PostSecret

Coming soon to a blog near you

Or maybe not near you, depends on where you are I guess. OK, I have less than two weeks before I head on the road again. This time I get to go to Alaska to carry seal observers. It should be fun. I have never been north of Vancouver, BC, much less flown up that way. I imagine that I will get some pretty cool photos, I am tempted to upgrade my camera, just a little tempted. I am also hoping that I have 'net access where I will be. It seems that it is something I have grown to take for granted, yet am faced with a strong possiblility that it won't be readily available. Keeping my fingers crossed. I must add however that a lack of Internet access isn't always a bad thing. I have noticed that, for example, last weekend when I was in Atlanta, the hotel wanted to charge $9.95 a day for Internet access. No Way. Even the Super 8 next door was giving it away for free. Unfortunately, or forutunately I was just a little too far away to get on that AP. While it was a minor inconvenience when those age old questions destined to cause stress and strife arise: so what do you want to do, or where do you want to eat. We had to resort to the old fashioned phone book and welcome guides and even in one instance *gasp* calling the concierge. Small price to pay to not feel compelled to read an email from work with some stress causing issue or the constant bad news from around the world. It was actually quite refreshing once I gave it some thought.
From Atlanta we ventured up to visit a relative in Western North Carolina. No net access there, to get there you have to go to "rural", and once you hit the blinking light turn left an go quite a bit further beyond. It was quite beautiful, her home nestled among the towering Poplars complete with babbling brook, or rushing stream, or there I guess they called it a branch. Anyway, you get my drift. It was nice, laid back, and a long way from the rat race. And the only time I even thought about net access is when we were trying to decide the best way to get back through Atlanta around rush hour.

I am sure I will find plenty of opportunities to leave the Net behind in Alaska, but it will be nice to be able to post and keep everyone up to date with the goings-on.

Stay tuned

I've been home for a couple of weeks and find that blogging isn't nearly as easy to do when I'm here for a couple of reasons. My photos tend to wind up on my laptop and it pretty much goes into a corner when I get off the road until the next trip. Plus with so much to do around the house I hardly have the time and energy. I will be posting again very soon. I still have to get my trips up to date including a recent "vacation" to Atlanta. Please bear with me and stay tuned for new entries in the near future.

Take Flight

Sometimes I can scarcely believe my luck. I often feel as though I should pinch myself. I mean come on, who gets to do this and get paid for it. Is this for real? I love my job. I must, however, add a caveat. There are days, not a lot of them mind you, where a job, is still work. I mean, it's not like winning the lottery and being able to do only what you want, when you want. But its not such a bad deal to do something that can be so fun, so educational, where no two days are alike, and get a paycheck on top of it to boot.
A little background first. I did my training at Flight Safety Academy in Vero Beach, FL. I was among 8 or so people for my ground school class for my Private Pilot class as part of the commercial pilot program. My biggest complaint about the experience is the disservice the school did to their students by pushing, airline, airline, airline.
I guess the point of this entry is just to say that there are so many more opportunities to be a pilot than just flying for an airline. I mean these days, more than ever, an airline pilot is scarcely more than a bus driver. I don't mean any offense to anyone who flies a passenger aircraft at all. They do a great job, have enormous responsibility, and put up with a huge amount of BS, all for a fraction of what their predecessors were paid. The days of the huge pensions are all but gone, along with the prestige and automatic sex appeal. But let's face it, even the flying itself is pretty mundane.
Most of the pilots I've spoken to didn't get into aviation to Take off-engage autopilot-disengage autopilot-land-repeat. We do this because we love to fly. Like all the other times I have tried to make a hobby an enjoyable job, it often becomes more work and less play over time(like doing IT work while I was in college because I loved computers, but then I never wanted to touch a computer when I got home). That being said, it's all about choices and the thing that Flight Safety did was fail to present any alternatives.
They gave it as an A) or B) choice. Get certified, get your instructor ratings, to build hours to fly for the airlines, or get certified, give us more money, and we'll get you qualified with less hours to fly for the airlines and get you an interview.

I meet pilots all the time in airports that do not fly for the airlines, having left them for a better quality of life, or never went that route to begin with. And, you know what, they love their jobs way more than any of the airline pilots I talk to. Some of these guys are fish spotters flying out scouting for the fishing fleet. They might be cargo pilots that fly local courier routes. Maybe they're contract pilots that fly special charters for researchers or back country sportsman. Or the folks I fly with who get to do steep turns over a pod of whales at 700 feet, or fly gorgeous coastlines with a laser for mapping purposes The common thread I see is that we get to really fly, back to basics, real world, what-can-my-aircraft-really-do style flying. The airline guys, God bless em, usually just lament about contract disputes, and bad schedules, and more days on the road. So if any budding aviator happens across this, I would like to say, research and try to find a way to really fly. If you want to fly for the airlines, or FedEx or UPS, bravo, really, it's a respectable choice. But don't rule out the other kinds of flying. When it comes to a flying career, the sky truly is the limit.

Happy Independence Day

Here's wishing you a Happy Independence Day. Enjoy it. Reflect on the freedom which we often take for granted.

Sweet, where my heart is, my castle, on the range, es su casa, I gotta be talking 'bout home.

I am home from Toronto, nothing quite so humbling as simulator training. Now,finally a little time at home. Time to catch up on the honey-do list. The home I bought in Seminole Heights is my first home. I've lived in rentals my entire adult life. There was always something about each one that just bugged me. The colors were all wrong, the stove and refrigerator were in the wrong place, the living room windows didn't open all the way. And I couldn't change them. Another thing about rentals was the dreaded final walkthrough. Some landlords were quite cool, while others were white-glove nazi's. I am happy to say I always got back my deposit, but not without some stressing involved. I know that scratch was there when we moved in, but how did it not end up on the initial survey form. Arghh!
My home in Seminole Heights is a 2/1 bungalow with a nice deep lot. But like a lot of these homes we have a lot to do. Our first mistake was trying to restore the original built-in bookcases, after two to three weeks of stripping paint we discovered that at some point there was some pretty extensive damage to some of the shelves that had been puttied and painted over. So much for that beautiful original wood. A couple of coats of paint and you can't even tell we touched it. So much for the hard work.
We have a few projects in mind, we have to have a new kitchen. This one was last redone in RV Formica style, dark green and grey. The biggest single area of counter we have is about 28" wide. We also want to add on. The original house had a porch in back that was enclosed and partially air conditioned. What we have now is a "bonus room" and a laundry room, with a shed type roof. Let me stop here and say, the single biggest requirement for a healthy relationship is at least one extra bathroom. Perhaps I exaggerate a bit, but it can't be by much. Needless to say the addition will include at least a second bathroom to compliment the master bedroom. The last major project we have in mind, is the yard. We have a nice large yard, but its totally underenjoyed. We need to do something, because otherwise it's going to waste. Inclusive of that is frontyard makeover as well, remove the concrete and put in something more decorative and useful with a touch of complimentary landscaping. Should be fun.

I think I have done all the Oregon recap that I or anyone else can stand for now. I have a couple of pictures from the flight to Boulder, and maybe a few from the Boulder area then my blog should be sort of up-to-date with my schedule. I will throw in posts during my time home about my house, my neighborhood, or maybe some older trips, but mostly I will try to post things that are current when I am on the road. My next trip is to Alaska in August. That should have some pretty intersting photos. Stay tuned.