From the Other Side of the Door

Posted on 26/09/2013 by Bobo

It is being reported this morning that 2 pilots were discovered asleep in the cockpit of their A-330 on their way across ‘the Pond.’  Crap… Well, be it as it is, let me give you a perspective from the other side of the door.

In his report one of the pilots mentioned that they had only had 5 hours of sleep the night before.  Unfortunately this is more common than you might think.

When I was flying for Northwest Airlines we were ‘given’ 10 hours of crew rest for a night.  The FAA (Federal Aviation Agency) came about this by figuring 8 hours of sleep, plus and hour travel to and from the airport.  This concept works great for the “suit” who came up with the plan while sitting at a nice desk in DC.  But out in the field it rarely, if ever, works as designed.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times the hotel van was late.  Or we were late arriving at a station for the night.  Then upon getting to the hotel it was not uncommon to get a key (card) that would not work for the assigned room.  This typically occurred at a room on the 4th floor, at the back of the hotel.  So, back down to the desk, lugging your bags, only to hear how sorry some indifferent desk clerk was.

Then it wasn’t out of the ordinary to have a party going on in the next room once you got settled in.  Or, upon occasion, for some couple to decide “to get it on” just as you were about to fall asleep.  Swell!  So, there goes your 8 hours of crew rest…

It was strictly against the regs to sleep in the cockpit.  However, sometimes you just can’t get around it.  I certainly was aware of the regulation, but really didn’t much give a shit.  But be that as it may, the ‘suit’ who came up with the concept certainly can be proud… it is indeed, a fine regulation.

I routinely briefed the folks I flew with, “…if you feel tired, let me know.  Then take a 15-20 minute nap, and you’ll be fine.  And, I’ll do the same for you.”  The key was to let the other guy know.  If I don’t say anything and happen to doze off, then I run the risk of waking up and finding the other pilot asleep!  And I can tell you, that sucks!

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A Celebration of Life

Posted on 25/09/2013 by Bobo

Last weekend I flew out to Oregon for a ‘Celebration of Life’ for my Aunt Jan.  Aunt Jan passed last month.  She was the last of my mom’s sisters.  Out of all my mom’s brothers and sisters there is only Uncle Kenny (89) left now.

The event was held at my cousin Chuck’s place.  On Saturday we had a nice lunch then congregated out on the patio for a period of prayer and remembrance.  I reckon there were 30 to 40 of us out there.  Yes, there were tears shed, but overall it was somewhat of a festive celebration – as Aunt Jan would have liked it.

DSCN0058

Me, and Aunt Jan…

Stories of Aunt Jan and her antics with my mom (Ruth) and Aunt Pat (Margaret) were once again retold.  We just don’t seem to grow old of them.  They are as funny today as they were when they actually occurred.  I saw a great deal of love out there on that patio last Saturday, and am glad I was part of it.

I think Gary, Bobby and Jeff did Aunt Jan proud.  She would have been pleased with the event – which got me to thinking on the way home…

Aunt Jan, the focus of our gathering, missed everything!  She missed the food, the bantering, and she couldn’t ‘defend’ herself once we really got into the stories!  Damn.  Then I had an idea – why not hold my own ‘Celebration of Life,’ for myself, next summer sometime?  That way I could hear everything everyone is going to say about me, and offer “rebuttals” where warranted!  And I wouldn’t miss out on the food!  Hell of an idea…

Stand by – more to follow…

Image 5                                                                  The Cousins

(Keep July 2014 opened….)

 

Posted in Family | 3 Comments

Reconciling With Dear Ole Dad Being Alcoholic…

Posted on 24/09/2013 by Bobo

I follow several Military Brat FaceBook groups.  On occasion I will see where I was not the only one who had an alcoholic father.  I always said I would never be like my Dad – but I was, to an extent.  I also became an alcoholic… oh well.

In recovery i had to deal with a lot of ‘Father issues.’  To say the least, it was a bitch!  I had conveniently buried all those feelings over the years and now, in sobriety, I had to deal with them.  I will tell you: sobriety is not for sissys!

It took maybe 8 – 9 years for me to get through them all; and on occasion now, something else will ‘pop up.’  A lot of tears, for sure – even at 50 – 60.  But they (the issues) are no where near as tough as they were in the beginning.  I don’t give them the power anymore.

So, how did I do it?  By confronting the issues directly.  Through journaling, AA meetings, and therapy.  And with the help and patience and support of a lot of friends…

In the beginning of my recovery I stumbled upon Mary Edwards Wertsch’s book, “Military Brats: Legacies of Childhood Inside the Fortress.”  The Introduction by Pat Conroy was especially tough to read – took me, maybe 2-3-4 years to get through it.  I could only get so far, then the tears would literally choke me – and I would set it down and walk for a few months.

Dear Ole Dad died, as a drunk in 1992.  I became sober in 1994.  In one of my ‘spiritual’ books I read the passage:  “I love that land of winding waters more than all the rest of the world.  A man who would not love his father’s grave is worse than a wild animal,”* – and I knew I had to travel to the grave of my father.

In 1999 I took a trip to San Antonio, to the Ft. Sam Houston national cemetery, to visit his grave.  I did not know where he was buried, I had to look through the directory to find him – but, I did.  I was curious how I would react, and could feel ‘apprehensive’ as I approached his grave site.  But in the end it was not a big deal; not at all.

It was a warm and sunny day as I stood at his marker; and I was at peace.  All that prior ‘work’ had paid off.  He did not have the ‘power’ over me he once held – I had taken it back!  So, I stood there, talking a bit, then I remarked, “You know Dad, I think you might have loved me, but you sure as hell had a funny way of showing it!  Maybe we’ll have another go at it, in another Life someday – but I’m okay today – I am okay, today…”

And that was it, I began “moving on.”  It was the way it was…nothing more, nothing less.

Today I have a great relationship with Dear Ole Dad.  Forgiven him?  Oh, I suppose, but I haven’t forgotten anything… and in that remembering I am so conscious of how I treat my kids.  And it is in my relationship with my kids today that I am able to make amends with Dear Ole Dad, and myself…

PS:  I have wondered upon occasion, what Dear Ole Dad would have said about me getting sober…

* Chief Joseph

 

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A “Caution” for Viagra, and the Like…

Posted on 18/09/2013 by Bobo

I think they ought to include a “Caution” on Viagra, and the like, that reads:

“Caution:  It just might be a good idea to ensure your ‘partner’ is actually going to show up before taking Viagra.”

 

Posted in Wisdom | 1 Comment

The Shootings of Late…

Posted on 18/09/2013 by Bobo

I am thinking these shootings of late are, in some ways, the result of our nation being too PC (politically correct) – of folks being too afraid of calling ‘shitheads’ for what they really are.  I would love to think it is all just this simple, but it only begins here, and goes way deeper.

Lawyers:  We are too afraid to hammer some dirt-bag, least he or she comes back at us with a lawyer!  Can’t fire assholes anymore, so we promote ’em.  From school through the workplace, we can’t report on slime-balls lest we (might) face a lawsuit.  Can’t call ‘pukes’ for who and what they are anymore – so they flourish.

Fitness Reports:  Can’t report anything ‘derogatory,’ lest we offend them.  Or, face a lawsuit ourselves.

The “PC Card:”  Again, can’t “offend” anyone.  (I am soooo happy I have never bought into this shit!  I don’t care about being PC at the expense of  being “authentic.”)

The “Race Card:”  EVERYONE shrinks from this one.  We are being played folks – by certain blacks, by certain muslims, by anyone with even remote ties to some “minority” group or another.  Well be advised, I harbor no “white guilt.”  Never have.  You will be treated by me as you treat me – probably better, but certainly no worse.

So, because we “coddle” the low-lifes” of our society they continue to flourish – and our concept of “the American Way of Life” continues to decline…

Why should anyone be surprised?  We are doing it to ourselves.  I have often said: gangs exist because we chose to allow them to be.  Ever heard of a gang in Singapore?  There ain’t any!  They are just not tolerated.  Of course, that’s the nation that “caned” one of our fine, innocent little boys when he “keyed” a car… in spite of Clinton’s interference.  Maybe we might consider public floggings?

Posted in "Political Correct BS" | 2 Comments

You Want to Know About My Sex Life?

Posted on 17/09/2013 by Bobo

It came out yesterday that yet another provision of ‘obamacare’ will mandate that doctors ask their patients about their sex lives – regardless of what we go in for!  YGBSM!  It is NONE of their business!

I don’t hold this policy against the doctors – it apparently is the law.  And obamacare essentially holds a gun to their heads to inquire.  But it is still, NONE of their business!

Now, I can’t change this stupid law – but I can employ techniques that will eventually frustrate the hell out of them!  I will wear their asses out!

I almost pity the poor doctor on the ‘receiving end’ at my next appointment … LOL!

Posted in "Political Correct BS", A Nation Gone Nuts, A Nation of Pussies | Leave a comment

Class Trip to the Farm…

Posted on 15/09/2013 by Bobo

This is so funny – I crack up every time I read it!!!
Poor farmer must have been frazzled keeping an eye on all the kids.

image002

Posted in Humor | Leave a comment

Exceptionalism

Posted on 12/09/2013 by Bobo

My name is Bob Holliker – and I am ‘exceptional!’  I am not ‘special,’ nor deserving of anything for ‘just being,’ but I am ‘exceptional.’  As Will Sonnett used to say, “No brag, just fact!”  And I take exception with anyone who claims otherwise; specifically ‘Dear Leader,’ and now Putin!

I don’t think being ‘exceptional’ is so much about ‘what you’ve done’ in life, as it is with ‘who you are’ in life.  What is it that you stand for?  What does your ‘word’ mean to you?  What will be the ‘measure’ of your life?  The things you’ve done?  Or the folks you’ve helped out along the way?

For those of you who don’t know me, “exceptional” is defined as:

ex·cep·tion·al:

adj.

1. Being an exception; uncommon.
2. Well above average; extraordinary: an exceptional memory.
3. Deviating widely from a norm, as of physical or mental ability: special educational provisions for exceptional children.

For those of you who do know me, you will understand.

I am not alone in “being exceptional,” by any stretch of the imagination!  Every Military Brat I have ever met is exceptional – in one way or another!  NFL football players are ‘exceptional.’  Doctors and nurses – exceptional.  Teachers – exceptional.  Construction workers – exceptional.  Military pilots are exceptional.  Yep, we are all “exceptional” for who we are – Americans!  And Dear Leader and Putin can kiss my (exceptional) ass this morning!

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Do You Think You Could Pass a Test Like That?

Posted on 02/09/2013 by Bobo

Dear Ole Dad was the Base Commissary Officer at Ramey AFB, PR 1957 – 1960.  One day he saw a bit of commotion at the meat counter.  To hear him tell it, a ‘portly’ matron was raising hell with one of his butchers.  So he decided to see what the problem was…

When he approached her, she introduced herself as Mrs. “Colonel” So-in-So.”  Wrong move with Dear Ole Dad.  Anyway, he went on to ask what the problem was.

“This chicken is rotten,” she proclaimed.  She then proceeded to take the subject chicken off the counter and spread its legs.  After taking a ‘whiff,’ she then stuck her nose under  each of the bird’s wings.  “I’m telling you, this chicken is rotten!”

Without batting an eye, Dear Ole Dad looked at her and replied, “Well Ma’am, do you think you could pass test like that?”

Dear Ole Dad never did quite explain why it took him an extra year to make major…

Posted in Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico | Leave a comment

The BratPin YouTube Promotion

Posted on 27/08/2013 by Bobo

 

 

(Apologies:  Have received ‘feedback’ that the music might be a bit too loud in places.  I concur, and will have George ‘dial it back’ a bit when he gets out of hospital.  I am just so excited about now being a potential ‘silver screen celebrity’ that I failed to notice!  LOL.  Today I am looking for an agent… Cheers! )

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