April 16, 2008

• So Here’s The Deal:

  What I’ve Been Up To…
  (this week)

  Sunday, I promised my readers over at BlueShoePhoto a post…
  A real one this time, and one that would reveal all the mysterious
  tales behind this photo:

  

  And, well… here goes nothing

  Since my last post, life has been a bit of a blur…
  I’ve taken up surfing, and golf, as well as traveling coast to coast… Twice.

  See, since July of last year I’ve dabbled in currency trading to augment my
  other investing and since the beginning of the year and the wild swings of
  the markets I’ve been putting more and more of my time into it. Why should
  this matter?

  Well, one of my best friends and mentors is a full time currency trader, and
  he lives here in Sarasota, FL with his wonderful family so I’ve been doing
  all I can to soak as much market knowledge as I can into my lil’ old brain…
  Not just once in the past two months, but twice!

  It’s been a blast, I must admit… Golfing, playing poker, taking photos, and
  trading like a mad man… Quite a time!

  But… all this is only a prologue to the tale I must relate to you next.

  Some of you know of my “past life” as I call it.
  Growing up, all I really cared about were airplanes, flying, and doing
  whatever it took to get my head back in the clouds.

  I guess it makes sense, really… After all, I AM a third generation pilot, and
  I grew up living 100 yards from a little airfield… But I must admit, I took it
  to an extreme there for about 5 years… I lived flying. I sold airplanes, I became
  an instructor pilot, I started test flying, I flew skydivers… I even built planes.

  It was a rush!

  But then, somewhat tragically (but obviously within God’s will) I got in an
  accident that took my mind of flying for the past 4 years and left me with a
  broken back… Of course that opened the door to building my photography
  business, motorcycles, marketing and even more traveling. But in my heart?
  I REALLY miss flying

  That’s why I was ecstatic when I heard that I’d be back in Florida in time for
  the annual Sun-N-Fun fly in… See, this event for YEARS was my favorite
  time of the year. A full week of flying, selling, and hanging around thousands
  of airplanes and tens of thousands of pilots… Way cool!

  Luckily, I was able to talk my cousin into flying down to Sarasota to pick me
  up for a day or two, it sure felt nice to be calling “my” private plane

  

  A short while later, we arrived back at my family’s place in Lake Wales
  and the festivities for their annual Pilot’s bbq had already begun… Nearly
  a dozen antique aircraft roared around the pattern, several of them giving
  rides, and a few biplanes could be seen off in the distance practicing their
  aerobatic routines.

  So, without further ado… Here are a few of my more favorite photos from
  my 48 hour caper

  
  Break Away….
  
  

  Upon entering the pattern over the Chalet, my Uncle joined up with
  us in his aerobatic Pitts Special for a few moments before breaking
  away for a bit more fun.

  
  Another…
  
  

  Almost looks fake, doesn’t it?
  I LOVE the clouds in Florida

  
  Cousin “It”…
  
  

  My cousin Audra was excited to see me, lol.
  She’s actually moving to New Zealand this next week, she’ll be
  stopping by California for a few days to visit with Bri and I

  
  “Jr’s First Airplane Ride”

  

  Did I mention the rides they were giving?
  Each year they become a bit more of an attraction… As this little one
  can soon attest too, getting their first ride in a friend’s ’46 Cub.

  
  In The Family…

  

  35 years ago, my Uncle had his very first solo flight in the
  exact same Cessna 140 you see above. About ten years ago
  he found it stashed in someone’s barn. A whole heck of a lot
  of work later and you get to see his son flying it like mad!

  
  And Your Point Is?

  

  Talk about a priceless expression to go with that shirt, eh?

  
  Priceless….
  
  

  There’s nothing like a 70 year old airplane taking a young person
  on the ride of their life [Check this one out LARGER, it's lovely!]

  Then, I got to shoot a few quick portraits of some beautiful friends…
  They’re so stinkin’ cute together

  
  

  But now it’s time to…

  
  Wrap Up…

  

  The flying for the day… Tomorrow’s going to be a long one….
  (And the next day is even BETTER – Here’s a little preview )

  
  Topsy Turvy….
  
   

  See You Here Again Soon?

  

  
  
  P.S. I’m traveling tomorrow, but I’d love to know which photo
  was your favorite… Fill me in!!
  

  • 4:55 am
  • 44 Comments