NEWS

9/28/01 - 9/30/01
United States Grand Prix - Just this year I've become very intrested in Formula 1 racing. Every two weeks I would set everything aside to watch the Grand Prix on Speedvision. One of the things I liked most was how much there was to learn just to be able to understand what was going on. Sometime around April, I decided that it would be fairly easy and relatively inexpensive for me to go to the United States Grand Prix because FedEx has a hub in Indianapolis and I would have a direct flight there and back for free. I then found out that every hotel room in the city was booked for the race weekend and that I would have to stay in Cincinnati and take a bus to the speedway. Then, after Sept. 11th, FedEx canceled all jumpseat privileges so I would have to buy an airline ticket. And finaly at the last minute my sister decided she wanted to come with me. It was absoulty worth it though. The cars were amazing to see, hear, and even smell. There was much to see and do and the weather couldn't have been better. My sister wants to go back next year.

9/23/01
New Car? Old Car? - Ever since I lost my first BMW, I've been looking for one to replace it. What I really wanted was a car that was the same body style as my first one, had the big 3.5 liter engine and a manual transmission. Most of the examples that I'd looked at were in poor shape, automatics, or some ugly color like brown. However, on my way home from paying my fall tuition I chanced upon a 1988 535i that was in nicer condition than I've ever seen. I've been disapointed about passing on the chance to buy many lesser cars, so I knew I had to get it. It looks great and it's really quick. Of course after I showed it to my friend Nate, he was so jealous he flew to Alabama to buy a 1988 ///M5.

8/4/01
21 Run - The weekend following my 21st birthday (August 1st) my sister organized a celebration to beat all others. She rented a bus, arranged for a banquet permit that would allow the comsumption of alcohol, then invited many of her freinds (and some of mine) to come along for the ride. The bus made its way across Snoqualmie Pass and we stoped at bars in North Bend, and Cle Elem, including the world famous Brick in Roslyn. Lots of drinking, dancing and even a little singing. It would have been nice if a few more people could have come, espically more girls, but I still had an amazing time and it's a night I'll never forget. Did I mention I got really drunk?

9/1/00
Bye Bye Bimmer - Ever since we got the Audi my mom has taken to the BMW. Driving it on short errands and even to work now and then, she said we shouldn't sell it because she liked it so much. However, when on her way to meet my dad and me for dinner on a friday evening, she was involved in a collision. Thankfully she was uninjured, but the car was totaled. I was extremely dissapointed to see it towed away and I will miss having it. One day I hope to buy another one.

7/25/00
General Update - Wow, no news in a while! Yup, things have been pretty slow. I've completed one year of college at Green River. Now I'm out for the summer and have started the flying portion of my instrument rating. There was a rather long absense of flying since November so it's good to get back in the air. I saw quite a few shows through out the start of the summer, including a weezer concert just two days ago. (the first time in over 3 years, that probably should be news in its self) But now you know, and I gotta go.

3/27/2000 - 3/31/2000
Trip to California - I managed to get some time off work during my spring break so I decided I would take a trip to Malibu, CA to visit my good friend Jake. He attends Pepperdine University and was nice enough to let me stay in his dorm while I was there. Along with my free jumpseat privglies on any FedEx plane this made for a very cheap trip. I had a fantastic time and met many of Jake's new friends who where all very cool. Including his charming girlfriend, Anna. If you'd like to see some of the photos I took while I was there be sure and visit the Pictures page.

12/23/99
New Car - Reluctantly I dicided to set aside my BMW for a set of more reliable wheels. I was unaware, however, that I would end up with such a nice set. The car I now drive is a 1994 Audi 90 CS. It is BIRGHT red with real leather interior, but most of all everything on it works. One bit of unhappy news is that I will be making payments on it for the next six years. Also, sadly, we will be selling the BMW. Contact me if you are intrested. (See the links page for more information on the Audi 90.)

11/5/99
PRIVATE PILOT BABY! - I've finally earned my Private Pilot Certificate! The third part of my check ride was very short and SWEET, just 3 takeoffs and landings at Auburn. I had scheduled the FAA's practical twice before but I hadn't been able to complete my training by thoes dates (because of weather, dissagrements, etc.). When I went in for the check ride the previous week the weather was poor agian but I did get the oral examination out of the way. This took only an hour and a half, shorter than usual said Auburn Flight Service's Chief Flight Instructor and FAA Examiner, Doug Houghton (he was impressed with my knowledge). I had to come back another day for the flight portion when the weather was better. The flight went well too, but I was a tad slow on my approaches so Mr. Houghton felt we should go over them agian another day also. So I had one last flight with my instructor Tomica, and was ready to get my liscense. The next day, after I passed, the fine folks at A.F.S. had a hat and a bottle of sparkling cider waiting for me. The necesary paper work was filled out and I was given my graduation certificate and my temporary pilot's license (it takes a few months to get my permanent one). What does all this mean? Well, depending on weather, my financial situation, and how politely you ask, we can go on a sight seeing trip to wherever you choose (within reason).

10/99
M200K - On the way to one of my clases my '82 BMW 528e hit 200,000 miles. Pretty cool, huh?

9/20/99
College Starts - Winter quarter has started at Green River Comunity College. Due to my rather busy schedule, working and flying, I've only signed up for two classes this quarter. I'm not particulary proud of going to a comunity collge but it's all I can afford and probably where I belong. Most of the classes I will be taking will be related to aivation. Eventually I'd like to transfer to a four-year school but that's a ways down the road.

8/10/99
Working For A Living - I'm finaly a member of society's working class. My first day on the job at Federal Express was not much more than filling out papers and getting my picture taken for my ID badge. Nonetheless, I still got paid for it. My offical title is: handler, non DOT. Which means I lift and sort packages but don't drive anything. After almost 2 weeks (a fortnight) of paid, handler classes I've setteled into a consistent schedule of Tuesday through Saturday mornings. The AM sort at FedEx's warehouse at SeaTac airport, usually begins at 2:50 AM and ends around 7:00 AM. The hours and the work pretty much suck but you can't beat the benefits with a stick, so it looks like this will be the job I use to get my way through college. If I'm lucky they might even hook me up with a job flying with them.

7/15/99
First Solo Flight - A historic day in aviation history, I acted as P.I.C. (pilot in command) of an aircraft for the first time. Before taking the air on my own; my filght instructor, the compelling Tomica Carter, and I took a few final trips around the trafic pattern at Auburn Municipal Airport just to be sure I was up to the task. Then, she got out and I was alone. I successfully took off and landed the Piper Warrior twice and was at the controlls for 18 minutes. This may not seem like much, but how long have you flown a plane on your own? Needless to say this was only the first of many times I will fly solo on my way to my priviate pilot certificate, which I should have before the end of September.

7/1/99
Earthquake - There was an earthquake and I felt it!

6/28/99
My Graduation Party - Due to my extraordinary achieviement of graduating from high school, my family decided I deserved a party in my honor. The gala event took place at my home and was attended by many of my friends and family. A huge thank you to all who were there!! Despite the large turnout, there is still food, beer, and pop left over.

6/19/99
Graduation Comencement at the Tacoma Dome - That's right, I'm a high school graduate now! Thomas Jefferson's class of 1999 gathered to have their names read and recieve their diploma holders in the good 'ol T-Dome. My good friend and '98/'99 ASB President, Alex Clark, gave an amusing speech. Exciting stuff!