Can I get a little gentle winds here....even!

A quick week and a Granddaughter in the house. That means everything I usually do it shunted aside to dote on her every need.

Yes... I am going to spoil her. I don't get to see her enough to no keep her as happy as possible. She is a sweetheart but sure does like to push buttons.

I did get to go out and TRY and balloon. The winds were not conducive for it.. going the wrong way and being a bit odd.

So I took pictures and just watched everything go on.

I did get some pictures of the cherry blossoms at work so here are some pictures but little comments.

A windy day to try for sharp detailed pictures..so pretty though.

Love the little hearts on the ends.

The edge of dawn.

Another moon shot. Can you get enough of these?

Kubi turning vents in the morning... very poetic.

This bird went over chopping air.. it was loud.

Ignis Kubi burner.. one side. Very pretty engineering here.

Wicker basket weave is also a thing of art.

Distant trainer. Cruising down the valley.

Looking into the top of Kisses of Fire as she lays down is always a kaleidoscope kinda look.

Big Al keeps the envelope up off the ground in preparation to bagging her for the day. Very serious work.

I was doing a lot of force aspect shots for some reason. They just looked cool.

Front back.. who knows.

Crown line closeness.

Looking down the fabric.

So other than that I have been surfing youtube and the Alberton push 2. looking worth the money to get my own music in my videos and not pay anyone else.

That and a few minor things its been aa crazy time.

Going to go back to watching my Granddaughter watch strange EGG videos on youtube...

Enjoy yourselfs out there.

Unsettling Weather no Flying

Didn't even get the system out of the back of the trailer. This is probably the saddest its ever been.

( I am listening to Dido's Some Kind Of Love while writing this )

Wind reports for three days before were stating 5mph on the exact spot! I had a guy who wanted to propose to his girl and we had a sweet set up to fool her and then get the proposal a couple hundred feet over Paradise ( The road, but that sounds so awesome...  Engaged over Paradise...sigh ) and what happens... Freakin gusts above ten MPH and no slowing. So since he was bound and determined he went ahead on the ground.

We are still going to set up a flight in April but that really put a damper on my weekend. We did chat a lot after but the cold biting wind just drove us all to our homes.

A quick stop in at Wecks for breakfast before the house... should have gone to Vics. The coffee was ... bad. Food was okay by me. The green chili and red chili were great. The omelet was good too and toast nice but a bit thicker than I like. I am sadly a person who like to stay with one thing so I was off track the whole way.

Since I was talking of the NWS radar last week I will let you know that it was all buttoned up and running  ( with only one error showing ) on Saturday afternoon. Our Radar Tech had it cleared up and closed and I didn't even have to venture out there on Saturday at all. Saving me another day off at work and the Govt the overtime for me to do things the Tech can do as easily. My poor brain goes into the process in this kind of situation. Who needs to be there, how many techs are required, how much time will it take, what is the justification for each person and if there is overtime involved its a primary process. It gets weird in my head.  I could not justify my going up there on Saturday and watching a basic signoff for two to three hours of overtime. I have full faith in the Tech who was there.

Tomorrow, hopefully, the unit that is giving the error will be in and it can be replaced quickly. Well as quickly as the waveguide can repressurize. There are many more items on my list of "chase downs" to get clear this coming week.

I love my job... I really like the people I work with... I hate my commute but its much better than a lot of people so I shouldn't really complain. I'm old so I can.

One of the comments out on the field, while we were chatting, was how old some of the stuff we have is. I remembered I have a pentel pen from the 1980s that is still going strong and in use. Might have a few scratches but hay... I use it. 0.5 with cap and hidden eraser.

I have two more, red and blue, but they are younger than this one. Funny but nowadays I use a pen more than anything. I only go to the pencil when I want to correct things in sketches.

Other items that came up in other conversations... board games, photography, walking/jogging Fiesta and preps for that, annuals and evals and safety seminars and diets.

My favorite games besides Fallout 4 are Pachisi and Spite and Malice. Both can be found with Hoyle games for computers. The rules for spite and malice are a little different than the regular game but still close.

You can even make an avatar for yourself.. and the other characters can talk if you want to be annoyed all the time. A good old set of games.

Had a good visit with my Ex Son In Law and his Son. We spun out ( spoke of ) on everything above as well as fast diets and the Keto diet and youtube stuff and internet stuff in general. They are great people and fun to chat with.. though I may have taken over the conversation. I need a good pinch at these times.

We did go over the proposed trip to England again. Just the parts on like Stonehenge and how it's nice and all but since you can't walk about the stones now its limited in interest but Avesbury is a great stone circle you can wander about in and even act like a stone in a place where the stones are gone but a marker is in place... always fun. Lots of other stuff but it gets everyone excited as we all would love to go visit and do the semi-tourist thing.

Its 201 days until the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta... seems like a long time to go but we who have been through this before know that if you blink the time is gone. Much to do... Annuals on both envelopes and probably a new crown for In Czech, Basket, and Highperactive should have no trouble passing. nothing at all wrong with either. Then find some step bars for the truck so everyone can get up and in the truck with no troubles... Pins we have thought I should get the third of four set done... The Balloonists unite... In A field Somewhere...

I am thinking of a yellow background instead of white as that will match all the colors in both my envelopes... I have to re wireframe it and that takes a while.

Also while on the internets I did more research and watching of how to use the Ableton Push 2 and I think I will use my next lump of money ( if that ever happens ) to buy one. This will work to create soundtracks for my videos and also for other things going forward with setting up Youtube channels and such. After learning about some companies and slimy people taking over peoples videos because they "believe" they used some of their music makes me not want to trust any so-called "free" music in my videos and content.

I'll make my own..with drum beats and kazoos..!!!

But I can't do that quite yet.

Many other things to do first.

One sad bit of information is the Lindstrand lightweight Nomad basket is gone. Sold to someone somewhere never to be seen again.

Not like it was FAA approved or anything but it was almost! So now I am back to square one on a lightweight basket. I really wanted a Lindstrand approved system but it seems no one is doing anything along those lines or no one has passed info that they are actively working on it so I am a bit depressed with all that.

But again... more planning and watching time...

Just plan and watch boys... plan and watch...

Distant Fear

This week was a huge lead up to an early morning Sunday National Weather Service Radar modification. Called a SLEP. It stands for Service Life Extension Program. It is the final ( I think ) upgrade to extend the life of the National Weather Service ( and FAA and USAF Weather Radars all over the globe ) Doppler 88D Radar systems. This should make it survive for another 20 ish years.

Fear on the horizon...

The closest I got to a balloon in flight today.

This SLEP is a big thing. Cranes, lifts, cherry pickers had to be scheduled and we had a problem getting an FAA obstruction doc processed. Far too many little things we didn't know that needed to be edited but the FAA walked us through it and in the end, RAN the paperwork around and got it to us with a day to spare. Thanks, FAA!!!

I don't want to do this whole blog on this process so let me add a few shots here and then get onto other things... I was working so the office gets first dibs on any and all shots I took.

I expect to spend this week editing the six video cameras I had running for the event and making a nice video up for the NWS. I and another tech were there in case things went off the rails in any way and support the teams doing the evolution.

A 200 plus ton crane, many many straps and connectors and starting at 0500 ( I was there at 0430 ) in the bleeping freezing cold. I errored in my clothing and should have double layered.

Setting the connectors and guy ropes for the dome lift.

Straps ( 5 ) over the top and connected to the bottom of the dome by bolted metal plates. The crane cable looked too thin.. the straps too small and the plates seriously tiny for this 8000-pound lift. Smooth it went.

Lifting the old pedestal off. I wondered about the strap position but they had a great idea here for a dual secure so who am I to whine. One of the reasons to pull the full pedestal off is there is a huge gear just below the arm things ( bull gear ) and it gets worn out and probably is. Its easier to refurbish in a facility than on site. I am happy about it.

The old pedestal ( weighing in at 22000-pounds in its travel cradle ( 14000-pounds ) and ready to head back to Florida, I believe, for refurb and back out to another site. All that brown stuff is either moth and bug crap or human waste in dry particles that float in from the waste reclamation plant that the radar site is in the middle of. No way to clean it off at all. Every time you go to the radar you have to wash a lot of yourself off after... it gets everywhere.

Side connector of the elevation assembly. Pretty and clean.

New pedestal lowered to the platform. The guys up there were getting bored with scraping the old seal off or sweeping up...and it was as cold up there. Sections of the disassembled dish are off to the left.

The dome comes back up and drops into place. Nicely done.

Tony on the hill with his video camera trying to stay warm.

A view of the waster Reclamation Centers main buildings. They take human waste and process it with other things like sawdust and stuff and then roll it into the ground. Good people doing a very nasty job but it's a good process.... just wished we didn't have to smell it and wear it.

Off shots while waiting for things to happen... Double Eagle Airport Tower from the West. Hi There!!!

A bus on its way to collect some homeless folk that are sheltered and fed nearby. Good Job Albuquerque and volunteers!

I see balloons!!! I see World Balloons!!! Hi Murray!! Hi Guys!!!

Rainbow Ryders isn't far behind and they have two new envelopes I hear... nice!!

There was a NOTAM put out for our crane and still, every Tom, Dick, and Harry had to come to buzz us.

They weren't that close... but the fixed wings were flying directly overhead low.

Yay fun. I was exhausted and very cold and very hungry by the time everything was bolted down and packed up.

Of the two 360 cameras and four GoPro cameras and the Sony DSLR...everything came out fine. 1750ish shots from today. A lot but I didn't want to miss any part of the work. Lots to process tomorrow and through the week.

Other things not related to ballooning or work are below.

Cool item.. setting up dark mode for messenger on the phone...

I don't much care for Lifehacker as they have major biases but this was good...

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-enable-facebook-messengers-secret-dark-mode-on-a-1833014003

If you are in London and need a good guide, look this nut up. Seriously fun watching him....and this was interesting...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft4dCs3JCwI

Also, I was and have been interested in Machu Picchu for ages but with the daunting hike to get there spanning four days I didn't think it was reasonable... only to find out there is a damn drain that goes right to it. Still some climbing but hay... Trains!

Here is the link for that...

https://www.viator.com/tours/Cusco/2-Day-Tour-Sacred-Valley-and-Machu-Picchu-by-Train/d937-19345P9

Granted now that I have watched a bunch of stuff on youtube about it I think it's been overdone and might be a bit boring since it been photographed and videoed to death... Maybe just to go sit in the early morning and watch the mist roll about and enjoy the serenity and calm of the place before all the tourist's swarm. A thought for the future.

I wonder what the next week will have in it... I know I have to get in the air this weekend.

I also found via youtube a new setting for the Sony RX10V4 that allows for a smaller focus zone and it works nicely. Now if I could get the shake in my arms to go away.

During the writing of this blog, I listened to Tangerine Dreams Cruise to Destiny and The Epison Journey. Both good listening to music.

Happy Sunday... here comes Monday!

Upheavals and paperwork

This next weekend is going to be a buster. This weekend both days are of relaxing and connecting with a chair and a blanket and surfing youtube for interesting things. Sadly they cant expand their recommendation algorithm so it keeps puking up stuff I have no interest in or things I have seen already. Pity as it was somewhat fun.

This nice cloudbank showed up when I was meandering about. It was much more full and expanding when looked at by my eye. All sorts of light flares.... oh well.. It was my cell phone camera so can't ask for much.


The week in review... Ducks.. seemingly everywhere...

I've shown this around already but it's my favorite so far as it looks like a pool of mercury.

Snarfing ducks. Just sipping water and going about in circles.. and when a dog gets near they all chirrup the same sound... 

I have more pictures of ducks but they are all looking the same about now so why drive you nuts too.

A shot from the roof of my office off West to the dome of the weather radar that is going to be taken off and then put back on again very soon.

A closer view. Lots of junk in the air this day.

Mount Taylor. Lots of snow on it. Over the valley and to the escarpment the camera does good things even with the air being so chunky.

Downtown Albuquerque. Unfortunately, they moved this old plane in the way.

 Other than that...

I had to do a full review of my log books and docs to make sure I am ready for the 2019 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta registration on Monday. So I took the time to refamiliarize myself with my flight manuals. My basket weighs 163 pounds by itself!!! All that adds up and sure is heavy for old people to be moving about.

Patches of all four balloons we own. They are very nice and I need to get some done for another jacket. I need a lightweight waterproof jacket.

NEW SHOES!!!  I am past my penance time for screwing up my last Vans by getting bleach splattered on them and my cheapos from Walmart have died in the heel. Good cushion in these. Hope they last a long time. About two weeks of Starbucks coffee.. if I ever went there any more.

Aerco refinished my son's basket from its old worn out red ( pink ) faded basket into this dark horse beast. A very good job and quite well done as painting wicker is hard to do and get it all covered.

One of the pastimes on youtube is watching this guy bounce around London.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFWqceEDVxifaU3ljzMH5tg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFWqceEDVxifaU3ljzMH5tg

Full of humor and silliness he wanders about giving you a full-on tour with history or bits of trivia. Id take his tours if I ever get over and have the time. Every video so far ( other than the ones on celebrities or govt )  I've watched and enjoyed.

He led me to this song and once it was in my head I had to go to Wikipedia and hunt it up only to be reminded that we played this game way back when... then lots of memories flooded in and wooshed around. Here are three pages from the site but you should go read it all yourself.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oranges_and_Lemons

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oranges_and_Lemons

Had to play some hard rock after to scrub it out of my head but now I've looked at it again it's bouncing around again... some Jethro Tull soonish...

Also found this in my wandering and it was funny how you had to enable it.. try it and see...

Night time view of facebook messenger.

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-enable-facebook-messengers-secret-dark-mode-on-a-1833014003

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-enable-facebook-messengers-secret-dark-mode-on-a-1833014003


I have also gotten my paperwork ready for Angel Fire.. including a printout of  my home printer.. as irritating as it was ( everything I did to get it working led to another thing needed to get it working to the point we were seven steps in and still couldn't get a thing to print fully ) I got it to work at last.

But it was a bugger.

As well as the above I was able to get all the varied thumb drives loaded onto my Editor drive and then formatted clear. Now all I have to do is go through every file and put it all in one common file to get rid of the myriad of duplicates that suffuse the drive. I couldn't believe the backups of backups of backups. Gasp... Then copy the whole thing to the backup drive. Can you say FUN!

Lastly, I stumbled onto a few how-to videos on my Sony RX10V4 camera. Two great takeaways were that there was a smaller focus zone setting, which is great because when you zoom in at times it would get too many things in the larger focus zone and I could be sure it was focused on what I wanted and sometimes didn't due to too many things to lock onto. Also, it has more focus setting than I thought.

Second thing was slow mo video shooting. Pretty cool stuff and didnt even know it was there. I am sure this camera has more secrets to expose but dang.. only so many days in a week years in a cycle, cells in my head to fill.. two.. really just two.

This week or tomorrow starts the radar modifications and a lot of work but I still plan on getting the Sony out and trying out the new settings. Something to show you next weekend maybe.

Next weekend I was going to go to a safety seminar but have an engagement flight scheduled on Saturday and training on Sunday... going to be a busy weekend!

What are you doing with your time?