What I Am Thankful For - Page 1 of 27
So I was getting ready to go to work this morning and I noticed a very unusual happening. After I woke up and overcame the initial yuckies (I don't really use that term in real life--it just sounded like an apt description for what I'm trying to describe in this entry) of getting out of bed, I noticed that I was gradually getting--"excited" would be too strong a word--but anticipation was building inside of me over getting to go to work! That absolutely NEVER happens to me! What's up with this?? I thought to myself. I mean, as I got closer to takeoff time, I was actually looking forward to going to work. Amazing--miracles never cease!
And so, I thought to myself that while I am in this extremely grateful mode for my job, I should jump on the chance to write about it and express my thankfulness........before my mind begins formulating and clarifying my gripes about the job. Because we know--at least I know--that in 6 months, I'll be using this here same blog to erupt and spew molten lava-fied complaints about the very same job that I am so excited about now. And to be perfectly honest, if I wanted to, it wouldn't be hard for me even now to come up with a list of complaints about my job....I told you I'm a good complainer. But going in the other direction, here's why I'm thankful for this job of mine:
I wake up early--about 6:30-7:00--make myself some of my el cheapo instant coffee that tastes better than most more expensive coffees I've had. Get my shower if I was too lazy to do it the night before, clean up, get my work clothes on (which I'll talk about more in a moment), check my email, get a wx briefing. By the way, for those of you who aren't in the know, "wx" is a really cool way to say "weather". Actually I think that's a pretty common abbreviation, but it makes me feel more important if I pretend it's Aviation-Pilot jargon. Assuming the...."wx" is good for flying, I get my gear together, pack up whatever snacks and goodies I'm going to munch on up there--and I head out the door. Now, I open up the door of my hotel room and make some comment about how cold or hot it is depending....on whether it's hot or cold. But actually I love it regardless just because I love being outside. Get in my rental car and head on over to the airport.
At the airport that I am currently based, the FBO folks--"fix-based operator" another cool aviation abbreviation that you didn't know until you had a cool pilot for a friend--they actually pull my plane out of the hangar and have it fueled up for me already. What a deal! Saves me like 15-30 minutes of time every day. These guys are great here. I start doing my walk-around, inspecting the plane to make sure a wing won't fall off or have some other less life-threatening issue while we're in the air. You'll notice I say, "we". I've notice that when I am talking with ATC--Air Traffic Control--I also say "we" instead of "I". I think it must be because the plane and I have bonded and we have become sort of one entity, at least for a few hours in time.
I put my gear into the plane, getting everything situated just so. I have my snacks, coffee, and other drinks handy for easy access. Of course, I must carefully ration my drinking with how long I anticipate being up in the air. I wouldn't want to have to dump my off-brand Gatorrade on some poor unsuspecting soul's head 3000' below so that I can use the container as my Port-a-let in the sky. Although, since becoming a pilot I have learned that it seems one is in the minority if they haven't had to resort to such drastic measures at least once in their flying career. I have read so many stories of Taco Bell or Coffee gone bad thousands of feet in the air that it's almost enough to make one reconsider being a pilot. Oh well, enough of such crude, primitive issues. We'll cross that big yellow stream if we ever come to it.
I go into the FBO and make one last-minute pit-stop in the bathroom, say hi to the mechanic guys and jump into the plane......
Okay, now I made a note up above that I was going to come back to my work clothes in this entry. One of the way-coolest things about this job is that basically I can wear what I want to wear to work. I can dress like a slob if I feel like it. I am dreading the day that I actually have to put on one of those corny pilot uniforms, with the OH-SO-STUPID tie. I absolutely hate ties! (See, I couldn't even get through a thankful entry without making at least one side-gripe) But for now, I don't have to worry about such horrible possibilities. I put on my jeans, or when it gets warm enough, my shorts, a long underwear shirt or sweatshirt, a t-shirt, my favorite old 70's knit Bengals boggin, my cool Tom Cruise-Top Gun shades so I can pretend I'm cool because I'm a pilot, and I'm ready to go. Oh, and must not forget a flannel or flannel-type button up shirt with pockets so I can put my junk in them. And that's my work uniform--comfy and yet sloppy and yet refined. One would think I was a big Fortune 500 executive coming to work if they saw me. Like a friend said to me just yesterday, I am a legend in my own time. Not to many people can say that about themselves ; )
Well, I actually had more I wanted to write, but it's like 11pm and I got in bed late last night, so much to the dismay of myself and my readers, I am going to have to make this a "To Be Continued". But hey! You can leave a message and vote on whether to continue this 'Thankful' entry or if it happens to be boring to you, to move onto another subject such as......complaints, or better yet, my theories and ideas on the proper division of responsibilities between man and woman in a relationship. Or my theories on how and why modern day men-women relationships are still like Caveman-Cavewoman days....now there's a thought-provoking topic! Remember, your vote matters.....not really. I will probably write about what I want to write about irregardless. But seriously folks, you've been a great audience tonight. I look forward to seeing you again soon........
PS--I know 'irregardless' is not a real word. I just wanted to see if any of you would notice : )
And so, I thought to myself that while I am in this extremely grateful mode for my job, I should jump on the chance to write about it and express my thankfulness........before my mind begins formulating and clarifying my gripes about the job. Because we know--at least I know--that in 6 months, I'll be using this here same blog to erupt and spew molten lava-fied complaints about the very same job that I am so excited about now. And to be perfectly honest, if I wanted to, it wouldn't be hard for me even now to come up with a list of complaints about my job....I told you I'm a good complainer. But going in the other direction, here's why I'm thankful for this job of mine:
I wake up early--about 6:30-7:00--make myself some of my el cheapo instant coffee that tastes better than most more expensive coffees I've had. Get my shower if I was too lazy to do it the night before, clean up, get my work clothes on (which I'll talk about more in a moment), check my email, get a wx briefing. By the way, for those of you who aren't in the know, "wx" is a really cool way to say "weather". Actually I think that's a pretty common abbreviation, but it makes me feel more important if I pretend it's Aviation-Pilot jargon. Assuming the...."wx" is good for flying, I get my gear together, pack up whatever snacks and goodies I'm going to munch on up there--and I head out the door. Now, I open up the door of my hotel room and make some comment about how cold or hot it is depending....on whether it's hot or cold. But actually I love it regardless just because I love being outside. Get in my rental car and head on over to the airport.
At the airport that I am currently based, the FBO folks--"fix-based operator" another cool aviation abbreviation that you didn't know until you had a cool pilot for a friend--they actually pull my plane out of the hangar and have it fueled up for me already. What a deal! Saves me like 15-30 minutes of time every day. These guys are great here. I start doing my walk-around, inspecting the plane to make sure a wing won't fall off or have some other less life-threatening issue while we're in the air. You'll notice I say, "we". I've notice that when I am talking with ATC--Air Traffic Control--I also say "we" instead of "I". I think it must be because the plane and I have bonded and we have become sort of one entity, at least for a few hours in time.
I put my gear into the plane, getting everything situated just so. I have my snacks, coffee, and other drinks handy for easy access. Of course, I must carefully ration my drinking with how long I anticipate being up in the air. I wouldn't want to have to dump my off-brand Gatorrade on some poor unsuspecting soul's head 3000' below so that I can use the container as my Port-a-let in the sky. Although, since becoming a pilot I have learned that it seems one is in the minority if they haven't had to resort to such drastic measures at least once in their flying career. I have read so many stories of Taco Bell or Coffee gone bad thousands of feet in the air that it's almost enough to make one reconsider being a pilot. Oh well, enough of such crude, primitive issues. We'll cross that big yellow stream if we ever come to it.
I go into the FBO and make one last-minute pit-stop in the bathroom, say hi to the mechanic guys and jump into the plane......
Okay, now I made a note up above that I was going to come back to my work clothes in this entry. One of the way-coolest things about this job is that basically I can wear what I want to wear to work. I can dress like a slob if I feel like it. I am dreading the day that I actually have to put on one of those corny pilot uniforms, with the OH-SO-STUPID tie. I absolutely hate ties! (See, I couldn't even get through a thankful entry without making at least one side-gripe) But for now, I don't have to worry about such horrible possibilities. I put on my jeans, or when it gets warm enough, my shorts, a long underwear shirt or sweatshirt, a t-shirt, my favorite old 70's knit Bengals boggin, my cool Tom Cruise-Top Gun shades so I can pretend I'm cool because I'm a pilot, and I'm ready to go. Oh, and must not forget a flannel or flannel-type button up shirt with pockets so I can put my junk in them. And that's my work uniform--comfy and yet sloppy and yet refined. One would think I was a big Fortune 500 executive coming to work if they saw me. Like a friend said to me just yesterday, I am a legend in my own time. Not to many people can say that about themselves ; )
Well, I actually had more I wanted to write, but it's like 11pm and I got in bed late last night, so much to the dismay of myself and my readers, I am going to have to make this a "To Be Continued". But hey! You can leave a message and vote on whether to continue this 'Thankful' entry or if it happens to be boring to you, to move onto another subject such as......complaints, or better yet, my theories and ideas on the proper division of responsibilities between man and woman in a relationship. Or my theories on how and why modern day men-women relationships are still like Caveman-Cavewoman days....now there's a thought-provoking topic! Remember, your vote matters.....not really. I will probably write about what I want to write about irregardless. But seriously folks, you've been a great audience tonight. I look forward to seeing you again soon........
PS--I know 'irregardless' is not a real word. I just wanted to see if any of you would notice : )
posted by wwiiguy at 10:06 PM
1 Comments:
you're lucky you put in the PS about "irregardless" because you know I was just chomping at the bit to harass you about it. I could hardly wait to get done reading your last words. And then you ruined it with the disclaimer.
ah well. I'm glad you are enjoying the job. The yellow stream thing kinda freaked me out though and reminds me of a boat story I'll tell ya some time.
Have a great day...hope the WX is good for flying today! ;)
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