Hurry up and wait.

The new camshaft arrived today. A part that expensive should come in through the delivery with trumpets blairing, doves circling, and an official decree from a local politician. Instead it was just the UPS guy asking for a signature. Now we get to hurry up and wait for the engine to be reassembled, installed, and run.

In the meantime, I’ve taken some time to update all the plans for the summer contests. I’ve decided to forego my annual pilgrimage to Osh, spending the money instead on flying and practicing. I’m also putting some dollars into developing Inverted Journey as an actual website instead of a blogger site. Blogger has served me well but having IJ up in its own independent incarnation lends itself to credibility…and I can make it look…better. Do I know the first thing about web design? Surely you jest. I’m lucky that I can navigate through the latest facebook settings. I know some folks that are heavily involved in professional web development so I am tapping their resources. I didn’t pull the “hey can you build me a website?” This is something I am paying for and am happy to do so. The cost of the website will be the equivalent of several hours worth of flying, but I consider an investment.

Not to sound whiney, but I cant overstate what a heartbreak it is not going to Osh. Though in whining about this I cant help but hear the mom from “A Christmas Story” saying “There are starving people in China and you’re complaining that you’re not going on a trip?!?! Booo hooooooooo.” I’m still going to debate myself daily about whether or not I could still go, but I have to announce to the trip crew that I’m not going…making it official. Wish me luck in this endeavor…I may fail.

Yesterday I had a chance encounter with Pat Peters….retired USAF Test Pilot School Instructor from Edwards Air Force. Just so you know, Edwards is the epicenter of all things incredible that happen in research and development in aviation…always has been and always will be. Originally and lovingly called Muroc after Mr. Corum who originally owned the land, Edwards has seen the development of supersonic flight in the 40’s, the U-2, SR-71, all the x-plane programs in the 60’s, stealth technology and who knows what else. It is the epicenter, and Mr. Peters was at the center of the epicenter. Needless to say, this guy was cool. You never know who you’re going to meet hanging around the airport.