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So, Saturday I drove over to Schaumburg Regional Airport and walked in with this stupid grin on my face… I couldn’t contain it. Then I found out that they had messed up and scheduled me for Sunday instead of Saturday. The grin only momentarily disappeared. I confirmed the Sunday slot and then headed to work for the rest of the day.

This morning (Sunday) I raced over to the airport after church. The stupid grin was back. Met my instructor, Wojciech (pronouced “Voitek”). He’s probably only a year or 2 older than I. We then walked out to the field and to the airplane.

It was one of the older planes in the fleet… a bit of a clunker. I even spotted some duct tape on the rudder. I scheduled the plane with short notice, but I requested this model in order to get a feel for different aircraft as I train.

After the pre-flight walkaround and instrument checks, I was instructed to taxi the plane to the runway. So I did. Very strange, controlling something with only your feet. We got to the runway… and I was told to take off whenever I was ready. So… I gave it full throttle, accelerated down the runway, used the rudder to maintain the center line, and was pretty much speechless when the tires left the ground. We climbed for a while, I tried basic turns and learned about visual cues and landmarks I could use to orient myself. It was pretty cool seeing the Zion nuclear power station off to the north and the Chicago skyline way out to the east. After that, I did some more complex turns combined with ascents and descents. Next, we looped around Elgin and I snapped a photo of the riverboat casino.

After that, I was guided to a few more local landmarks, such as the square forest (a forest that marks the beginning of DuPage Airport’s busy airspace) and the salt and pepper shakers (a pair of large cylindrical water towers). Then it was time to land, and thankfully Wojciech took the controls for that part. We tied the plane down to its parking spot, I paid, and I headed over to work again. Flying is incredible… and a little scary.

On a different note, I took a few photos of my fish tank:

The macro mode on the camera is very impressive. Check out the detail on this lighter; remember that this image has been scaled down considerably.

So… I’m striking secret resolution #1 (switch jobs) from the record. This is due in no small part to a healthy raise, good managers, and a long lunch with the company owner today. I’m happy with things. I think I’ll buy a place and move out soon.

Tomorrow I begin flight training! N96507 out of Schaumburg Regional. Weather-permitting, of course. Watch out, sky! I really want to get a photo of my first flight… which brings us to the next item. After much research, I picked up a black DSC-T5 on the way home from work today.

It’s pretty full-featured, but not quite as portable and adventure-ready as my last camera. I’m scrapping the plans to buy a digital SLR camera this year… they’re just too bulky.

In short, I’m doing much better with this year’s goals than I had expected. Even started work on an indie game with a couple of guys. The only goals I have yet to address are the adventure trips, starting a business, and the freaking spiders.

Airbags… good stuff.

Gave the Cadillac away, and the next day the minivan got totalled in a 5 car accident on 94W involving a semi. Dad was driving, but unharmed aside from an airbag punch to the face. Airbags are good.

I got a fat raise, but things are seriously looking more dismal than ever. Coworkers are bailing out and dispersing throughout the country… even one to Europe. I won’t consider buying my own place in this uncertain climate.

The parties this month were a lot of fun. Didn’t take any photos because I haven’t decided on a camera.

Travel is temporarily on hold. I need the vacation, but it looks like it may have to be a between-jobs vacation.

Happy February. Less than 2 months to Ice Age 2! Sequel to the best computer animated movie, ever. Don’t hate.

I’m back to working relatively normal hours for a while. To witness the post-crunch deforestation of my head, roll your mouse over these photos.

The situation at work remains interesting. Headhunters and recruiters are like vultures circling overhead. Not totally sure what to do and when to do it.

I’ve been thinking of attempting Mt. Rainier this year. Unfortunately, every photo of a glacial crevasse leaves me second-guessing myself. Moreso than every flash of lightning above timberline on Pike’s Peak. I really don’t want to fall a hundred feet between two sheets of ice and die. There must be safer activities.

Major events for the month:

• Feb 4: Tito and Tai-Chi’s birthday at Cherry Red. The last party there was great; I expect this one to be even better.
• Feb 11: Eunice and Cella’s birthday at The Big House. I’m so gonna have my Michigan hat in my pocket.
• Feb ??: Might take a random flight somewhere. Gotta keep those MileagePlus miles alive as long as United is around.
• Feb 28: Premiere of Nate’s movie, The Gift, in California. Go Nate!

I should pick up that SLR, or at least a replacement point-and-shoot, really soon. This month must be documented!