Sojourner - Traveling with the “Canman”

Was this real or a dream?  If it was real, then it was a dream come true.  It all started with an email from a long-time guitar-playing friend. He sent me a link to a flat-picking guitar workshop in the Italian Alps (Dolomites) and suggested I should consider attending.   I put it off not sure if I had the time and talent to participate.   Then after receiving an invitation from an Italian flight test colleague to come stay at his summer home on the Adriatic Sea in the village of Pineto, I inquired about the workshop and learned that that there was one slot left after someone had cancelled. So I jumped in and started making plans.  I had left my Taylor guitar in Italy 3 years earlier with a street musician who I had become friends with.  I arranged to pick it up near Milan, hoping it was still in good shape.  My Italian colleague who had invited me to his family home, offered that I could bring a friend to stay.  I contacted a bright yo...

How can one describe the feeling cuddling a newborn grandchild who is content as long as she can her my heart beating. Iside, my grandmother's namesake newest family member.  It is indescribable and part of a circle of life that I find so satisfying.   Takes me back to the days of cuddling and napping with my own kids.  Time flies so fast!  Iside may not remember me when she is grown.  To that end we videotaped my "welcome to the world" birthday card and her response was priceless! Video Now,  I still feel too young to be the doting full time grandfather,  but helping out my children for a few days was quite enjoyable. Now back to internazionale adventures! 

My second annual roadtrip to the Oshkosh, Wisconsin for AIRVENTURE 2024 and a delightful respite from Texas heat! AIRVENTURE is an amazing event. for one week this little airport becomes the busiest airport in the world hosting a  spectacular display of experimental and redtored aircraft aircraft embellished with enthusiasm,  politeness and cleanliness from the half million attendees.  If only all of American society behaved in a similar fashion.  I was there to support an SFTE STEM event to introduce young people to flight test.  Here is my LinkedIn post .   I also took the opportunity to create a campaign video to showcase my platform running for President of The Society of Flight Test Engineers.  Can't believe I am entering "politics!"

Three weeks of traveling solo, enjoying each phase and event as it happened.  Living in the NOW is the way to go! I so love traveling! This trip started with a 3-day excursion to Nashville, Tennessee to celebrate my grandson’s 4 th birthday.  Then jetting off to Vienna for the annual Society of Flight Test Engineers European symposium.   Upon arrival, I was asked to lead the presentation judging, which is an excellent way to stay focused and expand my knowledge.  The learning never stops!   talk was, “How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci in Flight Test ” It was based on the book of the same name.  It appeared to be well received and appreciated, which was somewhat of a relief, having spent the better part of 3 months writing it.  And then three months of labor distilled down to a 22-minute talk.  I hope I can present it again.  More of my thoughts about this amazing SFTE symposium are here . Engaging with new and old colleagues a...