Posted By RichC on February 8, 2011
An EAA284 friend of mine enjoyed riding along on a Pilots N Paws rescue flight the other day and made a nice video too. Although I could just link to his site or the YouTube video, its enjoyable enough to include on my blog. It is great to see pilots using their time to help others … be they people or pets. Great video Steve and forward a “well done” to your friend Mike. (video below)
Posted By RichC on February 7, 2011
Noticed a little snow driving to the grocery and then came out to see it covering the cars and the streets. Surprised me.
Posted By RichC on February 7, 2011
We took our shakedown sail on s/v Encore a couple days ago on our “new to us” sailboat last week. The weather in Florida couldn’t have been better for the first “real” sailing (my previous seatrials don’t count since Brenda wasn’t with me). Unfortunately as with most older boats, there are issues that need to be addressed – some high priority, like the depth sounder and frozen seacocks, others not so critical for coastal sailing but equally important: EPIRB, safety gear recertified or replaced, etc. Thankfully we didn’t have anything overly necessary that prevented us from sailing in good weather.
Brenda had a chance to do some clean up above and below decks (teak brightwork need work) and I installed the new upgraded Raymarine X-5 wheel pilot and did some rewiring. Before leaving I pulled out the speed, log and depth sounder in hopes to get them checked out and working before I end up stuck in the mud … or worse.
I’ll include a little video I took with my Palm Pre below … hmm, now that I’m back in Ohio with snow on the ground and freezing temps it even looks better than I remember. Can’t wait to head back.
Posted By RichC on February 6, 2011
No Superbowl party for us, but my wife and I did enjoy pizza and wings while watching the the Superbowl this evening. The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers gave us an entertaining game, although both teams played hot and cool at different points in the game. When all the “commercials” were done, the final score put the Packers on top as NFL’s top team. Final score: GB 31 – Steelers 25. The Lombardi Trophy heads home.
On final note, one more Volkswagen ad from the Superbowl:
Posted By RichC on February 6, 2011
It feels good to be home from our quick trip to Florida and to be watching Superbowl 45 this Sunday evening, but even better to see the Bengals and Browns archrival behind 11 points in the first half. The Packers are looking solid as they have outplayed the Steelers on both sides of the ball – halftime score 21 – 10. I’m holding my breath though as the Steeler offense rallied just before the half with a well executed drive coming away with a touchdown.
The Superbowl commercials have been pretty good so far, but expectations are high. I excitedly tweeted the clean diesel commercial from BMW promoting their 335d performance diesel. Still though, I’m fond of Volkswagen promoting their new 2012 American built Passat, although didn’t mention the TDI optional diesel engine. (video below)
Posted By RichC on February 4, 2011
The skipper and her first mate Gilligan sailing somewhere in the gulf stream. It’s much nicer than shoveling snow.
🙂
Posted By RichC on February 2, 2011
This content is restricted.
Posted By RichC on February 1, 2011
Should I show this to my wife (or hold back) before she heads out for her hours of long distance swimming off Florida’s Gold Coast?
I’ve never seen that many sharks in one place and am surprised to see that many migrating in such tight schools along Florida’s east coast.
Pilot Steve Irwin has quite a fish tale, and he wasn’t even fishing. Irwin is a pilot with “Island Marine Services” based in Fort Pierce. He said he was flying about 100 yards off of Palm Beach, at 80 mph, when he spotted thousands of sharks.
He pulled out his iPhone 4 and began taking pictures. He recorded the spectacular sight and wanted to share it. This is the time of year when sharks migrate and head for warmer waters. They also typically swim close to the shore while chasing after bait fish.
Posted By RichC on February 1, 2011
It is nice when websites run and link to webOS friendly media content. One of the better sites is reagan.gop.com remembering President Ronald Reagan’s legacy and his upcoming February 6th birthday – he would be 100.
In browsing with my Palm Pre yesterday I found it to be one of the few utilizing content and even scrolling ‘linkable’ text that actually worked well on webOS 1.4.5.
Nice President Ronald Reagan links too …
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (Brandenburg Gate, 6/12/87)
"[G]overnment is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." (1/20/81)
Reagan’s Farewell Address to the Nation (1/11/89)
"Above all, we must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." (1/20/81)
"I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience." (10/21/84)
"Of the worst mistakes anybody can make is to bet against Americans." (5/16/87)
"There you go again." (10/28/80)
"The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave." (1/28/86)
"We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free." (Normandy, 6/6/84)
"[G]overnment’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." (8/15/86)
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (Brandenburg Gate, 6/12/87)
"[G]overnment is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." (1/20/81)
Reagan’s Farewell Address to the Nation (1/11/89)
"Above all, we must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." (1/20/81)
"I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience." (10/21/84)
"Of the worst mistakes anybody can make is to bet against Americans." (5/16/87)
"There you go again." (10/28/80)
"The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave." (1/28/86)
"We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free." (Normandy, 6/6/84)
"[G]overnment’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." (8/15/86)
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (Brandenburg Gate, 6/12/87)
"[G]overnment is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." (1/20/81)
Reagan’s Farewell Address to the Nation (1/11/89)
"Above all, we must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." (1/20/81)
"I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience." (10/21/84)
"Of the worst mistakes anybody can make is to bet against Americans." (5/16/87)
"There you go again." (10/28/80)
"The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave." (1/28/86)
"We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free." (Normandy, 6/6/84)
"[G]overnment’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." (8/15/86)
Posted By RichC on January 31, 2011
The US stock market surprised many with strength as all three indices were up after continued turmoil in Egypt over the weekend and today (last week). 
To nobody’s surprise though, oil traded higher on the ICE futures exchange which saw Brent crude up $1.59, or 1.6%, at $101.01 a barrel; that was the highest settlement since Sept. 26, 2008. It has been two years since oil has hit the $100-a-barrel threshold. On the New York Mercantile, light, sweet crude for March delivery closed up $2.85, or 3.2%, at $92.19 a barrel … which was its highest settlement since Oct. 3, 2008.