i'm writing a book - right here!

[backusstudio]

Very cool M! Looks like you got caught in a twister down there in north Texas!

[AAC Cadet Leader]

yes, michael,
dallas / fort worth was one of those areas where i was offered a series of rides by different pilots to see all the local airfields. it was a great, active flying community where all the pilots knew each other and many flew in for breakfast together on the weekends. there were a few places around the country like that. those were places where my cup runneth over with short hops in various antiques. lucky me!

[AAC Cadet Leader]

am preparing a whole new slide presentation for oshkosh and for two eaa local chapters i'm going to show it to this week. just took a picture of the map today to add to the show.

[AAC Cadet Leader]

hi everybody,
i've been burning the midnight oil for several weeks on formatting my two slide presentations in time for my forums at oshkosh. i promise they'll be quite entertaining. if you're heading to Airventure 2008, please try to make it to one of them and be sure to say hi from a fellow "aerodromer."

here are the time and venue listings for my gigs :

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh - The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration


i might try to arrange a casual get-together w/ any interested to meet at the seaplane base on friday after the airshow @ 6 pm for a fun outing - it's a really cool place and they have free shuttles between it and whittman field every 30 mins (i think). and ardy and ed's burger stand is nearby - if it's still there - roller skating waitresses bring your food to your car.

[Roryanimations]

Hi Martha, Sorry I haven't written in an age, I've been working from home here in South West Ireland, loving it of course, but you know what they say about working for yourself: You only have to work half-days and you can choose any twelve hours you like!! More like 15...

I just wanted to wish you the best of times at Oshkosh and I wish I could be there to see your presentation. If you ever visit Ireland I could definitely arrange for you to give a talk in our local Community Centre, but for now, best wishes from a distant pal...

Flying in my dreams...

Rory

[AAC Cadet Leader]

hi rory,
thanks for your well-wishes. oshkosh AirVenture 2008 was HUGE! i can't believe how much it has grown in size and scope since i was last there in 1992. it claims to be the world's largest fly-in and i have no doubt that's true.

the sheer acerage of vendors, merchandising every aviation-related product, tells a healthy story as to today's American economy - at least from outward appearances. the EAA staff really has it down to a science as to how to entertain, feed and shuttle around the thousands of people they bring through the admission gates each morning of the week. the coordination between hundreds of good-spirited EAA volunteers to accomodate all of the guests and vendors and presenters was outstanding.

the daily airshow was put on by the top aerobatic performers on the circuit(at their own expense), warbird formations (at their own expense), along with the state-of-the-art military performers (on the taxpayers' expense). the daily show stealer was "the Raptor!" wow, that plane was amazing!

the best part for me was that i got to show my presentations and meet up with five of my pilots from my 1988 journey: egon grothe, jim zazas, norma hellman, luverne kraemer, and colonel joe kittinger. what fun re-unions to see them again.

also was wonderful to spend time with aerodrome forum members, mike backustudio and my old friend, lloyd, who assisted me tremendously with the presentations.

rory, if your group can foot my airfare and accomodations, i'll gladly show my presentations to them without charge - i'd love to see ireland!

[AAC Cadet Leader]

it has been suggested by someone who has publishing experience that i should begin re-writing this book yet again - this time, into a series of separate volumes, focusing on the different subject matters and aspects within, as i have such a huge amount of information to share. the worry is that no publisher would be interested to publish a book that includes so much info, plus a fold-out map, and a huge amount of photos, expanded chapters, copies of logbook pages, mother's telephone log inserts, pilot and aircraft info, journey routing, etc.

i am seriously considering the advice. anyone want to talk me out of it?

[Kilian]

Hi Martha.

If you want to come let me know. I work at an irish tourism company at the moment
But im not sure if i can grant any discounts
But at most places there are bed and breakfasts available here.

I hope to meet up with rory end of the month or early october. Anyway i just heard today that our company christmas weekend will be in Killarney Will be on 12th December.

[AAC Cadet Leader]

Originally Posted by Kilian

Hi Martha.

If you want to come let me know. I work at an irish tourism company at the moment
But im not sure if i can grant any discounts
But at most places there are bed and breakfasts available here.

I hope to meet up with rory end of the month or early october. Anyway i just heard today that our company christmas weekend will be in Killarney Will be on 12th December.

killian,
i appreciate your kind invitation, but it would have to be a free ride for me, sorry. perhaps your company and rory's could pair up and buy me the plane ticket, a pub meal or two and a couch to sleep on in exchange for my presentation. for the experience of ireland, i'd forgo my usual fee. how exciting!

[AAC Cadet Leader]

one year ago, today, i started this book thread. hope to get back to working on adding to this rough book draft soon, but don't know just when. too many irons in the fire right now. thanks to all of you who have read so far and have encouraged me to continue until it's ready for an editor and publisher.

total view count to date is 14,830. that's alright.