There are two puppies in my house right now, and for the next four days. I get to give them back after I am done.
That's right. Don Henley named his band after the mascot. Or so I was told when I went through my orientation.
Open your user profile page. It's at the end of the web address. Your 180 https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/members/bill.180/
Married to my high school sweetheart for 35 years, three grown kids, one very precious granddaughter. Been flying 37 years and still enjoy it. We moved closer to our daughter and son in law, so we can be closer to Molly!
I've realized all my dreams except to be an astronaut, and I still regret not pursuing that. I've been a pilot for two decades, and fly the bestest aircraft there is 'cause it's mine. I've been married nearly 30 years to the cleverest most elegant woman I know. I've published 3 books and ridden farther on motorcycles than nearly anyone.
My brag thread is here: https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/not-sure-how-this-happened-to-me.135302/
I'm member #71. Too modest to brag, although I sort of did in the two truths, one lie thread, or whatever it's called. Beyond that, been married to my current husband for 11 years; thrice married, once divorced, once widowed, no kids, but two awesome nieces, if that counts. I've written (and self-published) two novels that keep being purchased by people on Amazon. (My pen name is J.P. Totman.) I've been on all 7 continents.
I've been flying almost 2/3 of my life! I've survived two plane crashes, a couple of motorcycle accidents. I'm lucky enough to have a good job, which allows me and my dog to have a nice house and afford to fly! I have two beautiful daughters who are grown, one of them is working on her Masters. I just bought a 182 that I will use to take photos of planes flying through the air! I'm truly blessed that I will get to use it as a photo plane, which is where I can truly relax and not think of any thing except the task at hand. My happy place!
The God and Creator of the universe has blessed me with 3700 hours of PIC over 44 years, the last 18 with my wife who is a pilot as well, wonderful kids and grandkids, and a rewarding 49 year career in TV broadcasting.
Some people reach a point where they no longer "have to" work. That point came, for me, a month before my 38th birthday. Then I bought a plane, fixed that problem.
The private school I attended for elementary school kicked me out halfway through the third grade. They apparently determined that I had a severe learning disability and suggested that I instead be enrolled in a special ed program. In any event, they didn't want an underachiever like me bringing down the joint. Fast forward a bit, turns out I did just fine in "regular" ed. Straight A student, smoked the ACT and was the first in my family to graduate college, graduated at the top of my law school class and, at 35, I am up for election to partner this year at my Global 10 law firm where I represent some of the largest companies on earth in their M&A deals. God had other plans for me, to him be the Glory. Oh, and I am happily married to a wonderful wife, have two nieces, both my parents are still alive and healthy and I am building a beautiful house in suburban Atlanta that a scallywag kid like me that got kicked out of a second-rate private school in the third grade has no business owning. Notwithstanding that this is a brag thread, this is more of a highlight reel of what I am incredibly grateful for. And I seem to have almost mastered the "art of the start" of the extremely cold-natured Piper Archer I'm finishing up my PPL in. That may be my proudest achievement to date. Starting carbureted engines is a foreign concept to those of us who grew up with fuel-injected cars!
This is probably more appropriate as a thanksgiving day statement than a bragging competiion. I was born in a place where only nightmares become real. Instead, I somehow ended up here where dreams become real. Flying is one of them.
I was a similarly under-performing (or under-appreciated) student in my younger years (and even in undergrad). Through some hard work and dumb luck, ended up at a top law school, graduated toward the top of my class, spent some time in NYC biglaw and I'm now a partner (litigator) at a large national law firm and still in my 30s. Funny how that works, right?
Life sure is funny like that. I'm also a NYC biglaw refugee. That's its own crucible and escaping is worthy of its own brag thread. Glad to have folks like you around to fix all the stuff we corporate guys screw up!
I didn't go to private school, but I also underperformed because I more or less chose to. At the tender age of 8, I decided there was more to life than grades, and my teachers (but not my parents) were constantly harping on how I wasn't living up to my potential. I ended up as an internationally known scientist (recently appeared in the top 100,000 worldwide by citations, that is, how many people cited my work in their own). So much for not living up to my potential.
Great post! I wasn't gonna comment as these type threads ain't my style but your post reminds me of how thankful I am that God brought aviation into my life as a gift among the many He has given me!
