Traveling Mite find the Booty after all

Hello All,
Reported on popular websites like Flyertalk.com, is there a threat from the current x-ray inspection process? As we are all familiar with the procedure of removing our shoes for the x-ray machines, the industry is hoping a few stories remain isolated in their general knowledge. My intention is not to assist in the creation of panic; but, to help ensure our travelers are at least conscious in their actions- the following is what I found on my search.

The 2001 foot and mouth crisis in Great Britain was devastating not only to the British farming industry, but tourism as well. While the disease is not considered a threat to humans, humans can carry the virus on their shoes and transmit it to other animals. While tourism was unaffected in cities and small towns, many rural sites and hiking paths were closed for months. Imagine your practices upon arriving home after traveling abroad. If this horrible disease can be carried in this manor, what other germs would survive in the same way?

One person, known as “Red456” wrote the following post:
“My son is lying in a hospital bed on two intravenous antibiotics for a staph infection of unknown origin. I happened to be visiting him today when the hospital's infectious disease specialist stopped by to check on him. I took the opportunity to ask her if she had ever seen an infection acquired from an airport security checkpoint, specifically from travelers being forced to walk in their bare (or socked) feet. She told me that she has been suspicious of that means of acquisition with several of her patients after interviewing them, as she did my son, regarding their activities in the few days prior to their becoming ill. I didn't have the courage to ask if she'd ever reported her suspicions to the CDC.”

Whether this is true or not,
A responding doctor commented:
“The sad fact is that many people travel when they are ill, especially on mass transit like buses and airplanes, and in addition to the gastroenteritis illnesses, people can cough and sneeze and give you all kinds of fun upper respiratory stuff (to include tuberculosis, influenza and SARS). And now we have to wonder about community-acquired MRSA (methicillin-resistant staph auresus - the super bug we used to just find in hospitals and long term care facilities) if people with open sores contaminate others through touch or by contaminating a common surface.
It can drive you nuts just thinking about all the possibilities, but taking reasonable precautions like good hand washing will help. Not much you can do about the respiratory illnesses, but I personally insist on clean gloves from the TSA folks if they're going to root through my bag because they may have handled little Johnny's dirty underwear two bags ahead of me.”

A local San Diego news reporter followed this with hard evidence in her report:
“Lower leg disease expert Dr. Daniel Lee said, ‘If there are individuals walking barefoot or with socks, they will transmit to another person walking over the same spot.’ What do socked or barefooted passengers leave behind? 10News used Petri dishes to gather samples where passengers picked up their carry-on luggage off of the conveyer belt at the security checkpoint. After sampling in San Diego, a 10News employee headed to Las Vegas and Phoenix -- two popular destinations for San Diegans. Investigative reporter Marti Emerald gave the samples to Quadrants Scientific in Rancho Bernardo.

This process is here to stay and we all must conform to its procedures- So my friends, in conclusion I ask that each of you utilize caution while participating in this mandatory process. What is next, sharing the booty?

Be Safe,

Reach

Traditions

Hello All,

Tomorrow I leave for San Antonio, Texas and my son's graduation from Basic Military Training in the Air Force. Yes, he will carry forward the traditions of flight in our family. My Grandfather on my father's side, was a Balloon Pilot for the Army Air Corp during WWI. My father a Navy Corpsman on combat and flight status. As the tradition states, my father was given his father's flight jacket at the age of eighteen. I was handed my father's, and my son got mine at the same age of eighteen. My son's next stop, the Altitude Chamber then off to flight school. Now, there shall be a new jacket for the hand off.

Just a note of progression,

Reach

Hello All,

I am wishing a Happy Valentines Day to all. With this day, I search the memories of my past to former loves. I remember my “first” real love as it began with only a childhood crush.

S.H. was one year younger than I, but in the same grade. She had the most beautiful blond hair, I had not seen on any other girl prior. As a pre-pubescent male child, I could never speak when she was present. This was difficult, as I had so many things to tell her, so many stories to speak of; you see, in my youth I was fortunate to travel the world with my family. We, and our families, became best friends. A person would never see one without the other. S.H. taught me so many things, about respect, love, caring, and nurturing another person’s growth, that I would have never learned without her. We are not in contact these days, but I do remain in touch with her parents via mine.

Miss Campbell- Junior high and I could not say one word straight around her. Each of my friends knew of my fascination over this blond, I then called, "Charlie Brown's little Red Haired Girl". I wanted to ask her out, but my mouth would only say the unintelligible, garbled mess. Funny thought, I knew what I sounded like but could not stop. Also, the more I created a mess, the more I liked her. She, taught me nothing.

Squeak- yes there really is a person with this name. Squeak was my High School girlfriend. I met her in my sophomore year and she in her freshman. A typical “surfer” gal, she participated in every sport that I loved. We were honestly made for each other. And, with times being that they are, we remained best friends to this day. She taught me how to deal with unique situations and, she also taught me how to make unique situations. She taught me to never lie, to impress a lady. Everybody knew that one day her and I would be married; although, I would not trade my best friend for anything.

My wife- though she is my ex-wife, she will remain my first wife. She, too, taught me so many things and I’m not going into detail on that topic other than it hurt. Also, that is why I am divorced today. Believe me, I am the one who left.

Victoria- My true love! Diagnosed and a Cancer Survivor, I was there when others gave up on her. Each time I looked at her my heart, soul, and body would melt into a puddle. Thank goodness I did not still suffer from my "Shy" problems. We were actually introduced by my ex-wife; you see, V was my ex's best-friend. One thing I can say about my ex is her knowledge of my respect for others, talk about a "Soap Opera" story line, as my ex convinced V to give me a chance. Unfortunately, Victoria and I had lives traveling down different roads; however, I will always appreciate the times our roads did cross. She taught me about truly caring for another person: the look in ones-eyes, the warmth of the heart, and the magic of a single touch. In the end, I realized she deserved much more than I could ever give. Last I heard she was married to a doctor, was more than very happy, and moved into a house with the little white picket-fence; to have this combination remained one of her dreams and I hope she finally fulfilled it.

Missy- she truly desired my progression. Helping me throughout my early flight education, I would never have reached the levels seen, if it were not for her.

MMaW- she believed in me when others would not, to include myself. Our break was a classic phrase, “Be careful of what you ask, you just might get it”. I wanted my aviation profession. She wanted me to have all that I could ever desire. Then, I was gone from home most of the time. Between the Air Force flying and the civilian flying, there was not much time for any home life. Plus, when I was at home, and not too tired from being on the road, my mind was really not there for her. In the end, she taught me that I really do not wish to fly for a living. And, though she is in a happier place, I do miss her from time to time but I am very happy for her.


England- she was not so long ago. A recent widow, she was still dealing with those family issues and really needed a friend. Such a beautiful soul, caring and giving to others without asking for herself; it was easy to fall in love with her. Our break came from distance- I living in California and she in England. I think of her and pray for her happiness.

And finally, Miss Future- I do not know her yet, but I imagine she is the best. As I sit here typing this out on Valentine’s Day, I make one promise before the world. Her world is going to rock, when we do meet. Do you, my readers, remember the movie “Romancing the Stone”? My contention has always been that romance travels hand in hand with adventure. It is the fact of doing something new and exciting, pure adrenaline pumping action, that makes any relationship carry forward. The simple fact of sharing one’s journey, as it happens, with another can create or solidify an existing bond.

These only name a few, for I have more than my fair share of his-stories.

A confirmed nice guy- I spend this Valentine’s Day alone.

Reach

Play That Funk Music

Hello All,

So, I’ve thought about my attitude and posting of late. Though there are numerous words I have selected for a description, one seemed to appear again and again; that is, until I decided to ensure my definition correct. You see, I have fallen into a “writer’s block”, a wall no getting around, a depression, or funk in my ideas as to conclusions of each topic.

"Funk"
Definition:
1.
a. a state of cowardly fright; panic
b. a state of severe depression
2. a cowardly, fearful person
3. Music
a. musical style: popular music that derives from jazz, blues, soul and is characterized by a heavy rhythmic bass and back beat
b. earthy musical quality: a rhythmic earthy quality in music (slang)
4. U.S. lack of worldliness: lack of sophistication, especially the kind of simplicity or naiveté thought by some to be characteristic of rural or provincial areas (slang)

OK, “Writers Block” it is and no longer will I use the word “Funk” to any writing abilities- or lack of.

With this information before me, I wondered how this word became attached to music. Jazz originally drew on ragtime, gospel, black spiritual songs, West African rhythms, and European harmonies. Developed from African American folk songs in the early 20th century, Blues music, consisting mainly of slow sad songs often performed over a repeating harmonic pattern. Soul music is a style of African American popular music with a strong emotional quality related to Gospel music.

Even the “down” beat of blues does not come relatively close to “Severe Depression.” Well, Funk originated in the 1960’s with performers such as James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone and emerged as a distinct genre by the 1970’s. Characterized by intensely syncopated, danceable rhythms with the emphasis falling heavily on the first beat of every measure; prominent bass lines; a distinctive, razor-sharp type of rhythm guitar; chanted or yelling vocals in the style of Soul; powerful, rhythm -oriented horns; a strong emphasis on percussion, often including hand drums and other instruments as well as computerized or drum kits with African and Jazz influences. Funk music shaped and induced Disco and Hip Hop music as we know it today. My has the course of music diverted through history and at every corner lies the "Fork In The Road".

What this has to do with Writers Block, I ask.

Be Safe,

Reach

I'm Sorry

This came to me with many additions from other people and I also added a few. This is a compilation of many authors in the hopes to relay the message.


I'm sorry,
That I bought you roses
to tell you that I like you

I'm sorry,
That I was raised with respect
not to sleep with you when you were drunk

I'm sorry,
That I open your car door,
and pull out your chair like I was raised

I'm sorry,
That I'm not cute enough
to be "your guy"

I'm sorry,
That I am actually nice;
not an asshole

I'm sorry,
I don't have a huge bank account
to buy you expensive things


I'm sorry,
That I am always the one you need to talk to,
but never good enough to date

I'm sorry,
That I always held your hair back when you threw up, and didn't get mad at you for puking in my car,
but when we went out you went home with another guy

I'm sorry,
That I tell you your beautiful everyday and the most you could ever think of me is a friend.

I'm sorry,
That I am there to pick you up at 4am when your new man hit you and dropped you off in the middle of nowhere,
but not good enough to listen to me when I need a friend

I'm sorry,
If I start not being there, and being used as a door mat, only to be thrown to the side when the new asshole comes around

I'm sorry,
If I don't answer my phone anymore when you call, to listen to you cry for hours, instead of getting a couple hours of sleep before work

I'm sorry,
If you read this and know somebody like this
but don't care But most of all

I'm sorry,
For not being sorry anymore

I'm sorry,
That you can't accept me for who I am

I'm sorry,
I can't ever do anything right, and nothing that I do is good
enough to make it in your world.

I'm sorry,
I caught your boyfriend with another girl and told you about it, I thought that was what friends were for...

I'm sorry,
That I told you I loved you and actually meant it.

I'm sorry,
That when I told you I loved you, you didn't know how to react so you just stopped talking to me.

I'm sorry,
That I talked to you for nine hours on Thanksgiving when your boyfriend was threatening you instead of spending time with my family.

I'm Sorry,
That I cared

I'm sorry,
That I listen to you at night talk about how you wish you could have done something different.


Ladies always complain to their friends by saying, “There are never any good guys out there” and “always end up with assholes that mistreat.” Well ladies, next time you're bitching, maybe look up to see who you're bitching to because just maybe that special someone is right there hanging on your every word as usual and screaming in his head "Why won't you give me a chance?" Because the person you are usually searching for is right by you.

If you're a guy and you agree with this letter, repost as "I'm sorry "and add a little if I forgot something

If you're one of the few girls who would never make a guy feel this way, repost as "To all the girls who look past the nice guys"

Be Safe,

Reach